The introduction of the bipartisan 21st Century Cancer ALERT (Access to Life-Saving Early detection, Research and Treatment) Act by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) could place renewed emphasis on the fight against cancer, specifically in the areas of research, prevention and treatment.
The act pays special attention to rare cancers and requires reporting on cancers with a five-year survival rate of less than 50 percent with less than 40,000 incidences occurring annually.
“We include programs that will bring resources to the types of cancer we least understand,” stated Senator Kennedy.
Mesothelioma is one such cancer, as only 2,000 to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the aggressive illness each year. Caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is typically diagnosed once the cancer has greatly progressed, since mesothelioma symptoms generally do not surface until 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure occurred.
“In 2008, over 1.4 million Americans were diagnosed with some form of cancer, and more than half a million lost their lives to the disease,” said Senator Kennedy. “In sum, we need a new model for research, prevention and treatment of cancer, and we are here today to start that debate in Congress.”
Currently in the first step of the legislation process, the act aims to improve cancer research through the promotion of partnerships, research collaboration and additional funding. Early detection improvements and cancer prevention efforts will also be targeted through the study of biomarkers, molecules that may indicate the presence of cancer in the body.
The 82-page act also notes the need to increase enrollment in clinical trials and aims to make participation in the studies more accessible.
“We give new focus to clinical trials, which have been the cornerstones of our progress in treating cancer in recent decades,” said Senator Kennedy. “Only through clinical trials are we able to discover which treatments truly work. Today, however, less than 5 percent of cancer patients currently are enrolled in clinical trials, because of the many barriers exist that prevent both providers and patients from participating in these trials.”
The act also addresses cancer survivors noting the need to invest in research to “understand the later effects of cancer and how treatments affect survivors’ health and the quality of their lives.”
A copy of the 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act may be found on the govtrack Web site. Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
The act pays special attention to rare cancers and requires reporting on cancers with a five-year survival rate of less than 50 percent with less than 40,000 incidences occurring annually.
“We include programs that will bring resources to the types of cancer we least understand,” stated Senator Kennedy.
Mesothelioma is one such cancer, as only 2,000 to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the aggressive illness each year. Caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is typically diagnosed once the cancer has greatly progressed, since mesothelioma symptoms generally do not surface until 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure occurred.
“In 2008, over 1.4 million Americans were diagnosed with some form of cancer, and more than half a million lost their lives to the disease,” said Senator Kennedy. “In sum, we need a new model for research, prevention and treatment of cancer, and we are here today to start that debate in Congress.”
Currently in the first step of the legislation process, the act aims to improve cancer research through the promotion of partnerships, research collaboration and additional funding. Early detection improvements and cancer prevention efforts will also be targeted through the study of biomarkers, molecules that may indicate the presence of cancer in the body.
The 82-page act also notes the need to increase enrollment in clinical trials and aims to make participation in the studies more accessible.
“We give new focus to clinical trials, which have been the cornerstones of our progress in treating cancer in recent decades,” said Senator Kennedy. “Only through clinical trials are we able to discover which treatments truly work. Today, however, less than 5 percent of cancer patients currently are enrolled in clinical trials, because of the many barriers exist that prevent both providers and patients from participating in these trials.”
The act also addresses cancer survivors noting the need to invest in research to “understand the later effects of cancer and how treatments affect survivors’ health and the quality of their lives.”
A copy of the 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act may be found on the govtrack Web site. Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
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