WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps’s comments as prepared for delivery on the Cancer Screening, Treatment and Survivorship Act of 2007.

I want to thank Senator Harkin, Senator Snowe and Congresswoman Schakowsky and Congresswoman Myrick for introducing this important legislation:  Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Act of 2007.

I also want to thank Lance Armstrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and all of the cancer survivors and advocates for joining us here today.

We’re here today to call attention to the need for more federal resources to help in the fight on cancer, and specifically for the fight against Colorectal cancer.  Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in America, resulting in approximately 56,000 deaths in 2005. 

Tragically, many of these deaths are unnecessary and could be prevented if more people were screened, particularly those who lack health insurance.  Shockingly, among adults 50 and older, only 18.5% of Americans without health insurance had a recent colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, compared to a national average of 40.5%.  Up to 80% of the colorectal cancer incidence in the age 50-64 population could be prevented, if these individuals were screened using recommended screening guidelines.

Fortunately we can do something here in Congress to prevent many of these needless deaths.  We already have an excellent example of similar cancer treatment and prevention legislation.

Since 2000, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (NBCCEDP) has given the states the option to provide medical assistance through Medicaid to eligible women who were screened through the NBCCEDP and found to have breast or cervical cancer, including pre-cancerous conditions.  The NBCCEDP has been highly successful and these services should be expanded to colorectal cancers.  By passing the Cancer Screening, Treatment, And Survivorship Act of 2007 we can build on the success of the NBCCEDP and work to combat colon cancer.

I especially support the survivorship element of this bill because we have entered a new era where cancer care is not just diagnosis and initial treatment, but rather a long-term plan of care in order to manage symptoms, prevent reoccurrences of cancer, and improve quality of life overall. 

It is my hope that we will soon pass this much needed legislation.

Congresswoman Lois Capps is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Cancer Caucus and serves on the House Subcommittee on Health.

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.