I am writing to you because I am deeply concerned about the gaps that exist between what we know and what we do to prevent, screen and treat cancer. I am the mother of a cancer survivor. I am a volunteer with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I represent the one thousand seven hundred and thirty people who signed a petition to make cancer a national priority. Petition details are available at makecancerpriority.com. We are asking you to support the Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (S.2790 / H.R. 1078) and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S.625 / H.R. 1108).
Since the War on Cancer was declared in 1971, the mortality rate of children with cancer has improved forty percent (40%). However, these children and young adults face many quality of life issues which are not being addressed including late and long term effects of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. There is great disparity in treatment and care due to insurance, socio-economic status and geographic location. Pain management and palliative care for cancer patients and survivors must be improved. The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (S.2790 / H.R. 1078) addresses many of these issues. Please help us make cancer a national priority by supporting this legislation.
We know that one out of every three cancer deaths in the US - 170,000 people a year - is the result of tobacco use. These deaths are entirely preventable. In the past four years, nine bills that could have helped control the use of tobacco have died in Congress. We are asking you to ensure this does not happen again. Please help us make cancer a national priority by supporting and passing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S.625 / H.R. 1108).
More than 1,500 Americans will die today from cancer. 1,500 people will die tomorrow. Another 1,500 people will die the day after tomorrow. We must make prevention and early detection of this disease a national priority. We must ensure all Americans have access to quality care. We must provide funding for research and ensure that new found knowledge translates into action. As leaders of this great nation, you can help make cancer a national priority by supporting S.625 / H.R. 1108 and S.2790 / H.R. 1078. We are asking you to be the leader we need.