Statement of the American Cancer Society on the Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act

7/10/2002

From: Unice Lieberman of The American Cancer Society, 202-661-5711, e-mail: Unice.Lieberman@cancer.org

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- The following is a statement of the American Cancer Society on the Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act:

"The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee did the country a great service today by standing up for the rights of patients in passing the Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act (S.710), introduced by Senators Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). In moving this legislation forward, Senator Kennedy and other members of the Committee put patients first and took a significant step toward reducing the numbers of Americans who die needlessly every year from colorectal cancer (commonly known as colon cancer).

"The bill, along with its House companion H.R. 1520, would require all private health insurance plans to cover the full range of colon cancer screening according to well-accepted scientific guidelines for all patients age 50 and over and for others who have high risk factors for the disease. The facts don't lie. More than 90 percent of people whose colon cancer is detected and treated early survive for five or more years and are able to resume active and productive lives. Conversely, if a patient is diagnosed at the latest stages and is not diagnosed until after the cancer has spread, the chance of survival drops to a tragic eight percent.

"An analysis by The Lewin Group, a well-recognized and respected national health and human services consulting firm, found that for the majority of health plans, expanding coverage to include the full range of colon cancer screening tests would not increase per member per month (PMPM) costs, the basic price tag of health plan members' benefits. In fact, when a health plan offers the full range of colon cancer screening tools -- including colonoscopy -- it is actually more affordable than offering only the bare minimum of tests.

"Some 56,600 Americans will die this year from colon cancer, the second leading cause of all cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society encourages swift action from the full Senate and the House of Representatives. It is up to Congress to ensure that the barriers to life-saving colon cancer screenings tests are removed. The American Cancer Society is committed to working on a variety of solutions to ensure better access to and coverage for screenings. The bottom line is that this Act can help prolong lives and prevent the pain and anguish cancer causes."

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 800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at http://www.cancer.org.