Expanding access to early detection would improve cancer survivorship. This is how
The following was originally published in the News Journal on December 17, 2022.
Casey O'Neill
Sr. Regional Media Advocacy Manager
New York Residents Urge Leaders Schumer & Jeffries to Pass the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Act
Advocates with ACS CAN & International Association of Fire Fighters visited Sen. Schumer’s & Rep. Jeffries’ district offices to deliver over 60,000 petition signatures in support of MCED Act
March 8, 2024
NEW YORK, NY – March 8, 2024– Earlier today, advocates from across Greater New York City joined American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) staff and members of the International Association of Fire Fighters to deliver more than 60,000 petition signatures in support of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Act (S.2085/H.R. 2407) to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn, respectively. The legislation, which creates a pathway for Medicare to cover groundbreaking multi-cancer early detection tests once they are FDA-approved and shown to have clinical benefit, has garnered support from medical and public health leaders in New York and beyond.
Currently, cancer screening exists for just five of the hundreds of types of cancer. In fact, only 14% of cancers diagnosed today are found through screenings. Detecting cancer earlier gives patients a four-time greater chance of survival at half the cost burden of a later-stage diagnosis. Multi-cancer early detection technologies are unlocking a new era in how we detect and treat cancer with the potential to test for multiple cancers at once with a single blood test.
“"I'm supporting the MCED Act because I wholeheartedly believe in providing access to screening for early cancer detection to everyone, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, geography, etc. As a breast challenge thriver, I was fortunate to have been diagnosed at an early stage before the ‘challenging cells’ had an opportunity to grow and spread,” said Brooklyn resident and ACS CAN volunteer Sheryl Prince. “Early detection not only increases survival rates, but it makes cancer treatment more affordable. Dealing with cancer itself is taxing enough--patients shouldn't also have to worry about the financial aspect of it. Thus, I'm supporting the MCED Act because it would help ensure access to screening and dismantle cost barriers.”
With the incredible bipartisan support of 247 House members and 60 Senators, the MCED Act is the fourth most supported bill in Congress. In addition, over 520 advocacy organizations across the country also are calling on passage of the MCED Act.
“Detecting cancer early can be the difference between life and death. While overall cancer mortality rates have been declining for more than two decades in New York and across the U.S., racial, socioeconomic and geographic disparities persist and have a higher prevalence in underserved communities,” said Michael Davoli, Senior Government Relations Director for ACS CAN in New York. “There is sweeping support for this proposal, evidenced by the tens of thousands of petitions we delivered earlier today. We hope constituent voices were heard loud and clear by Leaders Schumer and Jeffries and that they vote to support this game-changing proposal.”
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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.
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