Earlier today, a new bill was introduced in the New York City Council to improve New Yorkers’ access to cancer screening. Int. #1369-2025 will require all private employers with a staff of five or more to grant employees paid time off—up to five hours annually—for preventative medical care, including doctor-recommend screening, ensuring that fear of wage or job loss does not serve as a barrier to workers’ ability to prevent, detect and ultimately survive cancer.
Detecting cancer early, before it has had a chance to spread, gives patients the best shot at successfully treating and surviving their disease. For example, the 5-year survival rate for early-stage colon cancer is over 90%, as opposed to a late-stage diagnosis where the survival rate is only 13%.
Diane Nathaniel of Brooklyn knows how critical early detection is in the fight against cancer. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2014, Nathaniel discovered her disease through a screening, enabling her to get connected to treatment sooner.
“If not for my colonoscopy, I might not be here today. My cancer was growing rapidly, starting at 5.7 centimeters when detected. And, by the time of removal, it had increased to 7.5 centimeters. Early detection gave me a fighting chance,” said Nathaniel.
Unfortunately, many New Yorkers still face significant barriers to cancer screening, including gaps in insurance coverage, limited appointment availability, transportation challenges and a lack of sick or paid time off. As a result, too many people are missing the opportunity to detect cancer early when it’s most treatable. This is reflected in the troubling reality that, on average, nearly half of all cancer deaths in New York City are from four screenable cancers: lung, prostate, breast and colorectal.
Int. #1369-2025 aims to eliminate a key roadblock to preventative medical care, including screening, by extending paid leave to a majority of the city’s private sector employees—similar to the benefit that New York City and New York State public employees already enjoy.
Nathaniel continued, “There is still so much we don’t know about cancer—both in treating it and surviving it. But we do know that early detection saves lives. A lack of paid time off is preventing New Yorkers from accessing that lifesaving care. Int. #1369-2025 provides a path to change that and close this dangerous gap."
The introduction of Int. #1369-2025 comes on the heels of a new study led by the American Cancer Society, which found that people living in racially and economically segregated neighborhoods in New York City were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-staged breast and cervical cancer.
“No one should have to choose between a potentially lifesaving cancer screening and keeping their job,” said Michael Davoli, senior government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
He continued, “Our physical health shouldn’t come at the expense of our financial well-being, or vice versa. Int. #1369-2025 would help eliminate one barrier for New York City workers by empowering them to get screened without risking their paycheck. This policy isn’t just popular, it’s practical, helping to reduce employee turnover, decrease absenteeism and minimize lost workdays. A healthier workforce is a stronger, more productive workforce. We are grateful to Councilwoman Lynn Schulman and Councilman Oswald Feliz for sponsoring this legislation and Speaker Adams for supporting the bill's introduction. We urge their colleagues to recognize the broad benefits this legislation would bring to our city and the fight against cancer.”
While many states and localities have passed laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, which can be used for preventative care like cancer screenings, New York City would be one of the first in the nation to prioritize preventative medical care, including cancer screenings, through a paid leave mandate on private employers.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, 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 stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.