Over 120 volunteer advocates from across Pennsylvania, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, convened at the state Capitol yesterday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with their state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that aid in the fight against cancer.
“Cancer Action Day is a chance for patients and survivors to elevate their voices,” said ACS CAN Pennsylvania Government Relations Director Donna Greco. “Our organization is committed to working with state lawmakers to help prevent, treat and end the cancer burden as we know it – for all Pennsylvanians. Our message to lawmakers today is – you play a crucial role in that fight.”
While the ACS CAN volunteers spent much of Cancer Action Day at the Capitol connecting with state lawmakers, a cohort of survivors and advocates took the opportunity to visit Senator David McCormick’s district office to send an urgent message: preserve Pennsylvanians’ access to lifesaving health insurance by rejecting cuts to Medicaid.
“Our advocates understand that, while today is about Pennsylvania and the impact we can all have in improving the lives of people with cancer throughout our Commonwealth, we know all too well that federal policies out of Washington, D.C., have a strong impact on the fight against cancer here at home. Medicaid is one such policy,” said Greco.
After the visit to Sen. McCormick’s office, the advocates met with state legislators where the focus was threefold—to encourage lawmakers to pass respective legislation that aims to (1) give Pennsylvanians at high-risk of developing prostate cancer the best chance at detecting and surviving the disease, (2) eliminate barriers to breast cancer diagnostic imaging and (3) establish Pennsylvanians’ right to paid family and medical leave for the first time.
ACS CAN volunteers came out in droves to promote the importance of the legislative proposals, including Retired Army Colonel Jim Williams. As a 34-year prostate cancer survivor and Chair of the Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Coalition, Williams was motivated to attend Cancer Action Day because of House Bill 281. This legislation would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving prostate cancer screenings for men at high-risk of developing prostate cancer, which would help reduce barriers and increase access to critical prostate cancer screening for men over 40 with certain high-risk factors.
“We need to do better about detecting prostate cancer in Pennsylvania. Screening is incredibly effective but too few Pennsylvanians who are eligible for screening actually receive it. Research shows us a main driver in delaying screenings is cost barriers. Even a relatively small amount can keep individuals from getting their recommended screenings and when it comes to prostate cancer, that can be the difference in a very treatable diagnosis to a life-threatening one. It’s one of the reasons prostate cancer is the third-deadliest cancer in the Commonwealth. It’s up to our lawmakers to act and ensure that more Pennsylvanians get screened for this survivable disease,” said Williams.
Williams was joined by fellow advocate and breast cancer survivor Sara Marian Lucking who sees the efforts to improve Pennsylvanians’ access to breast cancer screening and paid family and medical leave as personal. Three years ago, Lucking was on maternity leave from her dermatology practice and was nursing her 3-month-old son when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Breast cancer has been the fight of my life, and I want to give anyone who’s faced with a cancer diagnosis a fighting chance through earlier detection. Out-of-pocket costs have proven to be a barrier to Pennsylvanians’ ability to detect their cancer early and reach survivorship as soon as possible. I am hoping state lawmakers act to alleviate this barrier to early detection and lifesaving care,” said Lucking.
A new report from ACS CAN found that over 70% of commercially-insured patients encountered out-of-pocket expenses for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests. These follow-up tests, such as a diagnostic mammogram, MRI, ultrasound or biopsy, are medically recommended next steps to determine if an individual may or may not have cancer; however, barriers like cost can keep people from getting them. House Bill 433 would rectify that by eliminating such expenses.
Lucking also shared with lawmakers how it is important that, when Pennsylvanians hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ they know that they will have the financial support of paid leave to take the time they need to treat and survive their cancer. Because cancer doesn’t wait, we cannot wait to approve the Paid Family Medical Leave Act, or House Bill 200.
She continued, “Paid family and medical leave would have meant that my husband could have stayed home after my surgery to help me heal, accompanied me to all appointments, been there to help with the daily rigors of parenting 4 young children and given our family more time together to navigate the challenges of a life-altering and -threatening illness.”
House Bill 200 would provide patients with what Lucking lacked, enabling Pennsylvanians to take time off without fear of losing their source of income or forgoing critical care.
For more information on ACS CAN initiatives or to get involved with advocacy in Pennsylvania, visit fightcancer.org/pennsylvania.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.