American Cancer Society Supports Feinstein Cancer Bill

American Cancer Society
Thursday, 28 February 2002

National Cancer Act of 2002 is Comprehensive Plan to Fight Deadly Disease

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health agency, today applauded the leadership of Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the National Cancer Act of 2002, aimed at eradicating cancer. The Act offers a chance to renew and reinvigorate our nation's commitment to efforts to eradicate cancer as a major health problem.

"The National Cancer Act of 2002 is the most comprehensive legislative approach to tackling cancer since the war on cancer was declared 30 years ago," said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society. "On behalf of the American Cancer Society and its 28 million volunteers and supporters, I thank Senator Feinstein for her persistence and leadership and look forward to working with her as this legislation moves forward."

Based on recommendations made by the National Cancer Legislation Advisory Committee (NCLAC), the Act provides a comprehensive plan to address the entire continuum of the cancer problem, covering cancer research and its application. The Act would increase capacity to produce groundbreaking laboratory discoveries, translate those discoveries into effective cancer prevention, detection and treatment methods, and ensure that quality care is provided to the entire population, vastly reducing the burden of cancer.

The Society specifically recognized the Act's provisions to fully fund the National Cancer Institute (NCI) budget and support Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs that improve access to cancer screening and early detection among all populations. In addition, the Society welcomed the inclusion of a provision to reduce colorectal cancer deaths by ensuring that insurance companies offer the full range of screening methods. When colorectal cancers are detected in an early, localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 90 percent.

Another important provision of the Act is its comprehensive approach to tobacco control. The Act would offer increased access to programs and drug therapies that help people quit smoking. Meaningful Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco products, a key legislative priority for the Society, is also included in the Act. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org