WASHINGTON, March 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, today announced its legislative priorities for the 107th Congress at a briefing on Capitol Hill. On behalf of millions of Americans aff

"Every day, legislators make decisions that impact the lives of individuals and families touched by cancer," said John Baity, chairman of the national board of directors of the American Cancer Society. "Congress can help unlock the doors still standing in the way of progress against this disease by supporting key programs and policies that will reduce the incidence of cancer, prevent death, diminish suffering and improve lives. Working together, we can offer hope, progress and answers to Americans facing this disease." "Every cancer survivor I have met is willing to do whatever it takes to survive. But there is only so much we can do, in the meantime we are waiting," said Kip Daley, cancer survivor and American Cancer Society volunteer. "We need the help of our elected officials to make the changes necessary to make a real difference. We desperately need to find more effective treatments." Cancer research, awareness, prevention, early detection and treatment are all critical components in the fight against cancer. Congress should continue on the path toward doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health and fully fund the National Cancer Institute while ensuring that we apply the knowledge gained from research by funding critical cancer related programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Legislation aimed at increasing access to health care, especially for the uninsured, is also a critical component of the Society's legislative priorities. Expanded access to clinical trials, elimination of barriers to life-saving cancer screening tests, and efforts to increase cancer awareness and prevention are all priority items on which Congress should focus. In addition, Congress must ensure sufficient resources are made available for initiatives to understand and address the unequal burden of cancer among ethnic minorities and medically underserved communities, groups more likely to develop and die of the disease. Improved access to cancer care-including screening and treatment-as well as prevention efforts are needed to eliminate these disparities. "Every day, legislators make decisions that impact the lives of individuals and families touched by cancer," said John Baity, chairman of the national board of directors of the American Cancer Society. "Congress can help unlock the doors still standing in the way of progress against this disease by supporting key programs and policies that will reduce the incidence of cancer, prevent death, diminish suffering and improve lives. Working together, we can offer hope, progress and answers to Americans facing this disease." "Every cancer survivor I have met is willing to do whatever it takes to survive. But there is only so much we can do, in the meantime we are waiting," said Kip Daley, cancer survivor and American Cancer Society volunteer. "We need the help of our elected officials to make the changes necessary to make a real difference. We desperately need to find more effective treatments." Cancer research, awareness, prevention, early detection and treatment are all critical components in the fight against cancer. Congress should continue on the path toward doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health and fully fund the National Cancer Institute while ensuring that we apply the knowledge gained from research by funding critical cancer related programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Legislation aimed at increasing access to health care, especially for the uninsured, is also a critical component of the Society's legislative priorities. Expanded access to clinical trials, elimination of barriers to life-saving cancer screening tests, and efforts to increase cancer awareness and prevention are all priority items on which Congress should focus. In addition, Congress must ensure sufficient resources are made available for initiatives to understand and address the unequal burden of cancer among ethnic minorities and medically underserved communities, groups more likely to develop and die of the disease. Improved access to cancer care-including screening and treatment-as well as prevention efforts are needed to eliminate these disparities. Finally, tobacco related illnesses continue to plague this nation. One third of all cancer deaths are caused by tobacco. Meaningful Food and Drug Administration regulation over tobacco products, support for policies to help people quit smoking, increased funding for effective federal tobacco control programs, and increased federal tobacco taxes are steps Congress needs to take to help reduce and prevent the harm tobacco products inflict. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org. Finally, tobacco related illnesses continue to plague this nation. One third of all cancer deaths are caused by tobacco. Meaningful Food and Drug Administration regulation over tobacco products, support for policies to help people quit smoking, increased funding for effective federal tobacco control programs, and increased federal tobacco taxes are steps Congress needs to take to help reduce and prevent the harm tobacco products inflict. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.

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