WASHINGTON April 26, 2012 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, sent a letter to the lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives today, urging them to oppose any legislation that would cut prevention and public health funding for any purpose, including offsetting the cost of student loan programs.
The letter explains that this year, it is estimated that more than 577,000 Americans will die from cancer. Evidence shows that half of those cancer deaths could be prevented if people had access to proven screenings, tobacco cessation and proper nutrition and physical activity. The Prevention and Public Health Fund for the first time makes an historic investment in refocusing the nation on preventing disease before it occurs, rather than waiting to treat until people they get sick.
The letter goes on to show how money from the Prevention and Public Health Fund is already improving the health of Americans across the country, work that will transform our health system, allowing the nation to control costs and improve health outcomes.
The full text of the letter can be viewed here: http://ht.ly/axD8h.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Alissa Crispino or Steven Weiss
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 661-5772 or (202) 661-5711
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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