A major step forward for cancer care in Connecticut [Video]

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Hartford HealthCare announced a first-in-the-nation partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Monday.

Healthcare officials said this is a historic expansion. MSK is growing their presence outside New York and they noted the timing of this project couldn’t be more necessary. 

“Cancer rates will grow the CDC reports by 50% over the next decade or so,” said Dr. Peter Yu, physician in chief of the Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute. “This is a tremendous national problem.” 

Medical professionals said 2 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year.  

“These are people’s mother, brother, sister, siblings, friends, teachers, right, the people who protect us, these are going to be the people who are cared for,” Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford Healthcare, said.

Despite increasing rates, experts said treatments are …