Despite impressive advancements in the early detection and treatment of cancer, the disease still costs the U.S. $219 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity. Each year, cancer still claims more than half a million lives and inflicts incalculable physical pain and emotional distress on cancer patients and their families.
As you know, the Komen Advocacy Alliance is the non-partisan voice for over 2.5 million breast cancers survivors and the people who love them. Our mission is to translate the Komen promise to end breast cancer forever into government action to discover and deliver the cures for cancer. To do that, we need a renewed national commitment to cancer research equal to the cancer crisis. We need to invest in research aimed at overcoming disparities such that racial and ethnic minorities. And we need a renewed commitment to translational research, which is essential to ensuring that scientific discoveries made in the laboratory reach cancer patients in the form of improved diagnostics and innovative clinical treatment.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance urges the Obama Administration and Members of Congress to make ending suffering and death from cancer a top priority in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010.
Increasing the Nation’s Investment in Science and Research
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance is a member of One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC). OVAC is a broad coalition of cancer-related organizations representing millions of Americans, which works in support of federally funded programs that engage in the fight against cancer, and will work to ensure that the Administration and Congress make funding for cancer research and control programs a priority in fiscal year (FY) 2010.
Thanks to the support provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are well-positioned to carry out the President’s charge of having a research program that will “have the greatest impact on developing innovative diagnostics, treatments, and cures for cancer.” Additionally, the increase for cancer research and prevention in the FY2009 omnibus is the first increase after five years of stagnant funding — and is a critical element to achieving long-term success at reducing overall cancer incidence and mortality.
Cancer costs the U.S. $219 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity. It claims more than 560,000 lives each year and inflicts incalculable physical pain and emotional distress on cancer patients and their families. An increased investment in the fight against cancer will provide short-term stimulus the economy needs today, while building a foundation for a healthier, more productive workforce in the future.
OVAC APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS FOR FY2010
National Institutes of Health (NIH): $33.3 billion ($3 billion (10%) over FY 2009)
National Cancer Institute (NCI): $6 billion ($1 billion (20%) over FY 2009, based on the President’s FY 2010 Budget Request)
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD): $227 million ($21 million (10%) over FY 2009)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (CDC): $471 million ($130 million over FY 2009)
National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program: $50 million ($33 million over FY 2009)
National Program of Cancer Registries: $65 million ($18 million over FY 2009)
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: $250 million ($44m over FY2009)
Colorectal Cancer Screening, Education & Outreach Initiative: $50 million ($11m over FY2009)
National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program: $5 million over five years
Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign: $25 million ($11 million over FY2009)
Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative: $10 million ($4.5 million over FY2009)
Geraldine Ferraro Blood Cancer Program: $6 million ($1.3 million over FY2009)
Gynecologic Cancer & Education & Awareness (Johanna's Law): $10 million ($3.2m over FY2009)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Patient Navigator Program: $18.6 million
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): $2.250 billion ($210 million (10%) over FY 2009)
The late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduction the 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act (S. 717) in the U.S. Senate. ALERT stands for Access to Life-saving Early Detection, Research and Treatment:
Early Detection — The ALERT Act will place an emphasis on early detection and promote the discovery and development of biomarkers to detect cancers at the earliest possible stage when cancer is most treatable. The bill also has a particular focus on childhood, rare and high-mortality cancers.
Research — The ALERT Act will strengthen the cancer research process by promoting public-private partnerships and collaboration between government agencies. The bill also has a focus on translational research so new discoveries and breakthroughs in the laboratory make their way to patients’ bedsides as quickly as possible.
Treatment — The ALERT Act will improve access to cancer care for underserved populations by expanding access to clinical trials, patient navigation services, and screening and treatment for colorectal cancer.
In 1971, the United States declared war on cancer. Despite momentous strides and life-saving advances since then, the fundamental goal of the war — to diminish death and suffering from cancer — has not been fully realized. Cancer costs the U.S. $219 billion each year and claims more than 560,000 lives — almost 1,500 a day. The disease inflicts incalculable physical pain and emotional distress on cancer patients and their families. Additionally, there are racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic disparities in access to care. Underserved populations lack access to basic health care services like cancer screening, are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, more likely to receive lower standards of care and are more likely to die from cancer. For example, persons with cancer who are uninsured are 60 percent more likely to die than those with health insurance.
The U.S. must reignite the war on cancer and remove barriers to discovering and delivering the cures for cancer, and the Cancer ALERT Act will do just that.
Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program
In 1992, Congress established the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD). The peer-reviewed, biomedical research programs have funded cutting-edge research in breast cancer, prostate and ovarian cancers, chronic myelogenous leukemia, neurofibromatosis, among other cancers. The goal of the Department of Defense breast cancer research program is to fund innovative research, meet unmet research needs and bring new investigators into the field of breast cancer research. Appropriations for the breast cancer research program from 1992 through fiscal year 2008 totaled approximately $2.2 billion.
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program for breast cancer received $150 million in the FY2009, up from $138 million in FY2008, which returns the program to its funding levels from FY2002 to FY2005. We also call on Congress to maintain this level of investment after FY2010. For more information on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program for breast cancer, visit the program's website at cdmrp.army.mil/bcrp/default.htm.
Breast Cancer Research Stamp
The Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp was issued on July 29, 1998, at a "First Day" ceremony held at the White House. It was the first semi-postal stamp and has become the top-selling commemorative stamp in U.S. history with nearly 800 million stamps sold, surpassing the Elvis stamp. Selling for 55 cents, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp is 14 cents more than a traditional first-class postage stamp.
By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised from the stamp goes to the National Institutes of Health, and 30 percent goes to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense for breast cancer research grants. To date, the stamp has raised more than $60 million for breast cancer research. The stamp is currently authorized for sale through December 31, 2011, and is up for reauthorization in that year.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure believes the Breast Cancer Research Stamp is an important effort to highlight the importance of breast cancer and to provide additional funding for breast cancer research. Komen applauds and strongly supports Members of Congress in extending the Breast Cancer Research Stamp.
Mother’s Day Centennial Coin Act
The Mother’s Day Centennial Coin Act (H.R. 2421, S.1012) was introduced by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.). The Act is intended to mark the 100th anniversary of Mother’s Day by authorizing the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell a Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin for a limited time in 2014. Proceeds from the coin would benefit research into women’s health, and will be shared by Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Osteoporosis Foundation to further the research programs of both organizations.
The legislation requires that the Secretary of the Treasury mint and issue not more than 400,000 of the $1.00 coins. The Secretary may issue these coins beginning January 2, 2014, and ending on December 31, 2014. The Secretary may initiate sales and take orders for the coins before they are issued. The coins will be sold at a price equal to the sum of the face value of the coin ($1.00), plus a $10 surcharge, and the cost of designing and issuing the coin. The $10 surcharge will be split evenly between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research funded by the two groups.
The bill was introduced in the 110th Congress. The bill passed the House with 300 cosponsors late in 2008. Unfortunately, after garnering almost 30 cosponsors, the bill fell short in the Senate due to time constraints as Congress turned attention to the brewing financial crisis.
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Because the burden of cancer disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority groups, Komen also supports the work of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHHD). The NCMHHD promotes health and coordinates the efforts of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. NCMHHD not only conducts and supports basic, clinical, social and behavioral research, but also promotes research infrastructure and training and reaches out to minority and other health disparity communities as well.
In the area of breast cancer, the NCMHHD is working closely with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to enhance research on women who have never undergone screening and identify barriers to screening, including cultural and economic barriers. Additionally, the NCMHHD is working with the NCI to determine if women of health disparity populations are receiving the recommended treatments for breast cancer and to identify patient outcomes in this population.
In order to continue and expand on the vital research and education programs being conducted by the NCMHHD, Komen continues to urge Congress to provide the NCMHHD with appropriate funding levels to advance its critical work coordinating and advancing health disparities research across the NIH.
Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act
The Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act was signed into law in October 2008. The new law is intended enhance the sharing and coordination of information on existing research activities; promote improvement within existing programs and the reduction of unnecessary duplication; and promote partnerships among public entities and with the private sector.
Komen believes biomedical research is necessary to more fully understand the causes of breast cancer and examine potential environmental factors. We believe this research endeavor should be a collaborative effort involving the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY), Sue Myrick (R-NC) and Lois Capps (D-CA) sponsored the bill in the House, and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) sponsored the bill in the Senate. Komen supported the bill, and will continue to ask Congress to devote the necessary resources to fund meaningful research on the potential links between the environment and breast cancer.
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