Senate Passes Resolution Promoting LC Research & Treatme

[Christine]

Senate Passes Resolution Promoting LC Research & Treatment

U.S. Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) welcomed unanimous Senate approval of their resolution to promote lung cancer research and treatment. The resolution urges the President to declare lung cancer a national public health priority, increase funding for lung cancer research, and appoint an advisory committee to coordinate efforts to cut lung cancer mortality rates in half by 2015.

“Lung cancer is the most lethal form of cancer for men and women in the United States. We have made great advancements in prostate and breast cancer survival rates; we must commit ourselves to making the same progress in lung cancer survival rates. By bringing people together to fight this dreaded disease, we can eliminate it,” Hagel said.

“Lung cancer is responsible for one out of every seven cancer deaths. More than 13,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with lung cancer every year,” Clinton said. “I am proud that my colleagues have passed this resolution, and believe we all need to support increased research and education, so that we can improve our diagnosis and treatment of this terrible disease,” Clinton concluded.

The resolution, which unanimously passed the Senate late last night, outlines some necessary steps to address the issues of lung cancer. It calls for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a coordinated strategy for lung cancer efforts across the department, encompassing research, screening, and drug approval efforts. It also asks the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop screening and disease management programs for military personnel and veterans. And it calls for the establishment of a National Lung Cancer Public Health Policy Board, along with a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, to coordinate the federal activities in these areas.

Senators Hagel and Clinton first introduced the lung cancer resolution during the 109th Congress. The resolution passed the Senate but was never acted upon by the House of Representatives. The resolution that passed the Senate last night will now be considered by the House of Representatives.