Lance Armstrong Foundation and Congressional Leaders Introduce the Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Bill

6/19/2002

From: Amanda Brown, 512-796-4276, E-mail abrown@citigatecunningham.com or Hava Mintz, 512-652-2725 E-mail: hmintz@citigatecunningham.com both of Citigate Cunningham for the Lance Armstrong Foundation

AUSTIN, Texas, June 19 -- Today, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders announced legislation to expand research and quality of life programs for cancer survivors.

Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) joined Jeffrey C. Garvey, executive director of the LAF, to introduce "The Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2002." The landmark legislation focuses on providing cancer survivors increased essential resources at the nation's premiere health research and prevention agencies, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other Congressional leaders, including Sen. Sam Brownback, and dozens of cancer survivors expressed their support for the legislation at a press conference today in Washington, D.C.

"There are nine million cancer survivors in America, including Lance Armstrong, who are living with through and beyond cancer," Garvey said. "The LAF and Congress have joined forces to provide more resources to cancer survivors so they can face the physical, economic and psychosocial effects of cancer and its treatment."

"I can't think of a more appropriate person than Lance Armstrong to bring cancer survivorship issues to America's attention. He bravely and successfully battled testicular cancer and has gone on to live an extraordinary life full of success," Rep. Steny Hoyer said. "I hope that this legislation will help more cancer survivors live their own extraordinary lives."

The legislation introduced today expands cancer survivorship research at the NCI with a focus on the health and quality of life of individuals living with cancer after the acute diagnosis and treatment phase. The aim of the legislation is to prevent and control adverse cancer diagnosis and treatment-related outcomes, secondary cancers, chronic conditions and poor quality of life. The bill also establishes an Office of Cancer Survivorship and Centers of Excellence on Cancer Survivorship.

"We should be devoting more resources and attention to programs which will enhance the quality of life for Americans who are beating the odds against cancer," Rep. Wicker said. "I hope our efforts will identify the unique challenges faced by cancer survivors and provide support to meet those needs."

Public health activities will also be expanded at the CDC with increased focus and funding for state-based comprehensive cancer control programs. These programs will advance cancer survivorship with demonstration projects that promote physical activity, public awareness, education and outreach activities for providers, survivors, peer support and mentoring groups; a national action plan on cancer survivorship; and expanded surveillance on outcomes of survivors.

It's estimated that in 2002 about 1,284,900 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S and that number is expected to double by 2050 as the population continues to grow and age. Even as the number of cancer cases increase, the cancer death rate continues to fall by slightly more than one percent since 1993. Five years from now, 62 percent of adults diagnosed with cancer and 77 percent of children (age 0-14) diagnosed with cancer will still be alive.

"The good news is that a larger majority of adults and children are surviving cancer -- more than at any point in our history. The bad news is that our researchers and public health experts have not prepared those individuals and their families for what lies ahead," Garvey added.

The annual cost of cancer in the U.S. is $180 billion in direct and indirect costs, but only a small percentage of that is directed at cancer survivorship. In fiscal year 2001, the NCI invested $38 million in long-term cancer survivorship research -- less than $4.25 per cancer survivor.

The Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2002 calls for a three percent increase in funding for the NCI's cancer control activities, specifically for the Office of Cancer Survivorship. That will amount to approximately $140 million. The legislation would also authorize $75 million for the CDC's cancer survivorship programs in fiscal year 2003.

According to national survey results released today by the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), almost 80 percent of Americans favor government funding to research the physical, emotional and economic consequences of cancer treatment and survivorship. More than 85 percent of Americans agree that a top-tier priority of the NCI should be survivorship and quality of life research.

Every American is affected by cancer and could potentially benefit from this legislation. The LAF encourages Americans interested in supporting the Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2002 to contact their Congressional representatives.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation

Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life for those living with, through and beyond cancer. The LAF seeks to promote the optimal physical, psychological and social recovery and care of cancer survivors and their loved ones. The LAF focuses its activities on survivor resources and support, groundbreaking survivorship programs, national advocacy initiatives, and scientific and clinical research grants. For more information about the Lance Armstrong Foundation, visit www.laf.org or call 512/236-8820.