American Cancer Society Finds Many States Falling Short on Cancer Policy Issues

American Cancer Society
Thursday, 31 July 2003

New Report Asks, "How Does Your State Measure Up?"

A new nationwide report from the American Cancer Society finds only one state got a perfect score on six key issues in the fight against cancer. Only California measured up to the Society's benchmarks on all six issues, chosen because a state's actions can have a substantial impact on the 1.3 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year. Three states—Connecticut, Maine, and Maryland—met the Society's mark on five out of six issues. While no states fell short on all six issues, Alabama and Kentucky complied with the Society's standard in only one area.

"Many of the most important cancer decisions are made not in the doctor's office, but under state capitol domes around the country," said David Zacks, chair of the Society's national board of directors. "Every state legislator has the power to help eradicate cancer in his or her state—but not every state legislature is owning up to the task."

The Society identified six cancer-related issues individual states can directly impact: access to colon cancer screenings; access to clinical trials; access to breast and cervical cancer treatment for low-income women; smoke-free workplaces; increased tobacco excise taxes; and funding of tobacco control programs.

The issue on which the most state houses met the Society's benchmark was providing access to treatment for low-income women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's screening program. The Society attributes this success story to the quick action taken by states to ratify the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, which provides for Medicaid coverage of treatment through matching funds. In just three years, 48 states and the District of Columbia completed all the steps required to accept the new option. Only two states have yet to fully implement the program, and even they have begun to take initial steps.

The issue faring the worst in the report was smoke-free air. While five states, including New York and Florida, went smoke-free just this year, millions of Americans are still forced to endure unhealthy secondhand smoke throughout the workday. A total of 31 states failed to meet the Society's benchmark, more than on any other issue the Society examined.

Other successes detailed in the report include:

• 24 states guarantee private health insurance coverage for some or all phases of clinical trials


• 16 states and the District of Columbia guarantee private health insurance coverage for the full range of screening tests for colon cancer.


• 21 states with tobacco excise taxes equal to or greater than the national average of 70.5 cents. *

In addition to continuing its work to ensure all states meet its criteria, the Society also identified emerging issues it is following, most notably Medicaid coverage and pain and symptom management. Those issues may be included in future reports.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 17 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345.

*Nevada became the 22nd state to meet the Society's benchmark on cigarette excise taxes after this report went to print.

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