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Targeting Lung Cancer as a National Health Priority

http://www.pr-inside.com/lung-cancer-al ... 106430.htm

2007-04-26 20:59:20 -

WASHINGTON, April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 (http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/) 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.

Source: Lung Cancer Alliance

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