Key members of the
House of Representatives introduced legislation this week targeting lung
cancer as a national public health priority by establishing a coordinated
federal effort to reduce the mortality rate of the number one cancer
killer.
Lung Cancer Alliance President Laurie Fenton praised the sponsors:
Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), a member of the powerful House Energy and
Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over health matters;
Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen (D-VI) who chairs the Health Braintrust
of the Congressional Black Caucus; and Congressman Edward Whitfield (R-KY)
also a member of the House Energy and Commerce committee and the ranking
member of its investigative subcommittee.
The House resolution, H.Res. 335, is identical to the Senate resolution
on lung cancer introduced in March by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and
Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).
In thanking the sponsors, Fenton said, "We now have a broad based
coalition in the House and Senate that is willing to fight for the funding
and attention for lung cancer research and earlier detection that has been
so long overdue. Lung cancer will no longer be ignored and stigmatized."
Congresswoman Capps, who is the Democratic Chair of the Caucus for
Women's Issues and a member of the House Cancer Caucus, said: "Lung cancer
now accounts for more deaths among women each year than breast, cervical,
uterine and ovarian cancers combined, and 20% of the women being diagnosed
now have never smoked. These statistics are extremely troubling and we need
answers as to why this is happening."
Congresswoman Christensen, who is also doctor and a leading public
health disparities expert, said that lung cancer is also the biggest cancer
killer of African American males and females, causing more deaths each year
than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. "In fact," she noted,
"the incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer in African American males
is higher than in any other population subset and there is virtually no
research going on in this area. This is a trend that we need to research,
that we need to raise awareness about and that we need to change."
"I understand the difficulties faced by the millions of Americans
afflicted with lung cancer," said Whitfield. "Many families have been
affected by cancer and have seen first hand the trials and hardships cancer
patients go through on a daily basis. It is important that our government
invests the necessary funds to continue research into preventing and curing
lung cancer."
In addition to more targeted research on lung cancer and more effective
treatments, the resolution specifically calls for more resources for
earlier detection for those at high risk for lung cancer.
"In every other major cancer, screening and early detection has led to
tremendous increases in survival. Lung cancer's 5 year survival rate is
still only 15% and that is unacceptable," said Fenton. "We have to get
moving quickly on lung cancer and we have to move on all fronts."
The Lung Cancer Alliance (LungCancerAlliance) is the
only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support
and advocacy for people living with, or at risk for, lung cancer. As the
number one cancer killer, lung cancer will kill more than 160,000 Americans
this year alone, causing more deaths than breast, prostate, colon, liver,
kidney cancers and melanoma combined.
Lung Cancer Alliance
LungCancerAlliance