By Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
PUblished: 05-19-08
In 2008 it is projected that 1.43 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. Nearly 96000 Texans will receive this sobering news. And 35000 Texas patients will lose their battle against cancer this year.
Since the War on Cancer was declared in 1971 we have amassed a wealth of knowledge on the disease. Some of the greatest strides have been made in prevention and early detection with a heavy emphasis on screening including mammographies and colonoscopies. Behavior modifications like smoking cessation better eating habits regular exercise and sunscreen use have helped prevent cancer.
But increases in information and prevention measures haven’t always translated into meaningful progress for those with cancer. In the 37 years since the War on Cancer was declared the cancer mortality rate has decreased only 6 percent.
By comparison since 1970 age-adjusted mortality rates have sharply declined for heart disease (by 56 percent) and stroke (by 66 percent). Today cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. surpassed only by heart disease. Within the next decade the National Cancer Institute (NCI) forecasts that cancer will become the leading killer of Americans. And it will impact millions of us. One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes.
To reduce those numbers we must identify and remove barriers that obstruct our progress in cancer research and treatment. First we must improve access to early detection measures and cancer care. Lack of health insurance and other impediments to healthcare providers can prevent many Americans from undergoing routine screening for some of the deadliest forms of cancer. With early screening the chances of catching the disease at a treatable stage are greater and improve the rate of survival. We must focus on decreasing the number of uninsured and providing screening to underserved populations.
Patients diagnosed with cancer often need someone to help them navigate the health care system assess treatment options and coordinate their care. The Patient Navigator Program which I authored and was signed into law in 2005 provides these beneficial services and should be expanded.
We need to raise awareness about clinical trials so that more cancer patients know they are available. Clinical trials expand treatment options and also serve as a critical resource for the discovery of new prevention diagnostic and treatment methods for researchers. Yet less than five percent of the 10.1 million adults with cancer in the U.S. participate in clinical trials. Disincentives to enrolling in clinical trials in the health insurance market must be eliminated.
We also must also reevaluate how much we are willing to invest to eradicate this disease. As seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong told me at a recent Senate hearing “cancer is ruthless and relentless and to win we also must be ruthless and relentless.” He has become a leader in the effort to win this fight.
I have worked in the Senate to more than double our commitment to the National Institutes of Health from $13.6 billion in 1998 to $29.89 billion in 2008 with $4.9 billion allocated to the NCI. But this is only a drop in the bucket when compared to the economic impact of the disease. In 2007 the overall cost of cancer to our nation was $219.2 billion. Some estimate that these costs could soar to $1 trillion annually by 2021. We must prioritize spending and also explore non-government fundraising options. For example the Breast Cancer Research Stamp which I worked hard to move forward in the Senate has generated $56 million for breast cancer research all through volunteer contributions.
Finally our 21st Century strategy should renew our focus on the collaborative goal of finding cures. The culture of isolated career research often dedicated to small treatment modifications must shift toward cooperative strides to achieve breakthroughs. We must encourage all stakeholders in the War on Cancer to work in concert toward cures.
Senator Edward Kennedy and I are heading a bipartisan effort to reinvigorate this fight. We will introduce legislation to begin removing barriers to research and treatment. Joining us in this effort are the Lance Armstrong Foundation the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and many others from across the cancer community. Most importantly we must support those on the front lines of the War on Cancer – the men women and children bravely waging their own personal battles against this ruthless and relentless disease.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior Senator from Texas and is the Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.
