History    

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a non-profit, community-based agency working to ease the burden of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Focusing on research, education & survivorship the Cancer Institute invests all of its resources in this region.

The Cancer Institute was organized in 1991 by Northeastern Pennsylvania hospitals that recognized the value of collaboration and coordination for community cancer control efforts. Today the Cancer Institute partners with Community Medical Center Healthcare System; Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Henry Cancer Center in Wilkes-Barre; Marian Community Hospital; Mercy Health Partners; Moses Taylor Hospital/Mid Valley Hospital; Wayne Memorial Health System; Wyoming Valley Health Care System; oncology related and specialty practices; area businesses; public and private service agencies; foundations; community leaders; and governmental entities at all levels.

The primary service area for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute includes the following Counties: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming - with additional services in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton.

The Cancer Institute partner hospital and physician network provides the largest cancer diagnosis and treatment service in Pennsylvania in terms of the number of patients served. More than 3,000 new cancer patients are recorded each year through the Cancer Institute Regional Cancer Registry.

The Cancer Epidemiology Research Program at the Cancer Institute studies the incidence, distribution, and control of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Study results are being used for research strategies and education programs designed to prevent or reduce death and disability from cancer in this community.

The Regional Cancer Registry at the Cancer Institute is the first collaborative regional cancer registry in Pennsylvania. This state-of-the-art system provides sophisticated recording and reporting of cancer diagnosis, treatment outcomes and clinical research statistics. From a public health standpoint, this service offers a valuable tool for comprehensive community and hospital planning regarding oncology services, and for long-term projections for the allocation of scarce health care resources.

The Community and Patient Services Program at the Cancer Institute offers a wide range of community programs and patient services to raise awareness about cancer prevention/risk reduction, early detection and treatment of cancer.

• Community Programs – focusing on the prevention and early detection of cancer, these programs are offered through a variety of public forums.
• Healthcare Programs – focusing on the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer, these programs are offered to healthcare professionals involved in all aspects of cancer care.
• Family of Survivors Programs – focusing on a wide range of survivorship issues, these programs are offered to anyone affected by cancer and include education programs and information resources addressing all aspects of cancer survivorship. In addition, the Cancer Institute hosts the Cancer Survivors Celebration each year which honors the courage and strength of those who have been touched by cancer.
• Hereditary & Familial Cancer Program – focusing on cancer risk concerns, this program provides education and resource information for health care professionals, families with histories of cancer, and the general public.

The Cancer Institute is currently under the leadership of Mary Erwine, RN, MSN, Chair; W. Scott Lynett, Vice-Chair; Robert J. Soper, Treasurer; Susan S. Belin, Secretary; and President Robert F. Durkin.

To obtain additional information about the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute please call 1-800-424-6724 or e-mail us at admin@cancernepa.org.