AUGUSTA – The Maine legislature today will hold a public hearing on LD 555, “An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Updating Screening Coverage.” LD 555 is a simple and straightforward update to the existing law requiring insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening in accordance with recent changes to clinical guidelines based on new evidence. These changes include suggested screening for average risks individuals at 45 years of age and ensuring coverage for all types of recommended screening types.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports the measure and is working with cancer survivors across Maine to urge for its’ passage. The following statement can be attributed to Hilary Schneider, Maine director of government relations for ACS CAN:
“Cancer is the leading cause of death in Maine. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Maine, when men and women are combined. In 2019, an estimated 670 Mainers will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 230 will die from the disease.
“Early colorectal cancer usually has no symptoms, with warning signs typically only appearing with advanced stages of disease. Therefore, ensuring individuals have access to colorectal cancer screenings without cost sharing is critical to preventing colorectal cancer and reducing the burden of cancer for Mainers.
“It is the hope of ACS CAN that widespread adoption of new American Cancer Society screening guidelines, which suggest average risk individual begin screening at age 45, will have a major impact on the incidence, suffering, and mortality caused by colorectal cancer. Passing LD 555 gives Mainers a fighting chance by finding colorectal cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful, and by detecting and removing polyps, which contributes to the prevention of colorectal cancer.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
