WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 26, 2009 – The Fight Pink Alliance applauds the bipartisan efforts of Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) to reignite the war on cancer with the introduction today of the 21st Century Cancer ALERT (Access to Life-saving Early Detection, Research and Treatment) Act.

“Thirty Seven years ago a Republican President and a Democratic Congress came together in a new committment to find a cure for cancer” said Senator Edward Kennedy.  As a result, cancer today is no longer the automatic death sentence that it was when the war began. But despite the advances we have made against cancer, other changes such as aging of the population, emerging environmental issues, and unhealthy behavior, have allowed cancer to persist.”

“The lives of vast numbers of Americans have been touched by the disease. In 2008, over 1.4 million Americans were diagnosed with some form of cancer, and more than half a million lost their lives to the disease.”Senator Kennedy says, “In sum, we need a new model for research, prevention and treatment of cancer, and we are here today to start that debate in Congress.”

“We must move from a magic bullet approach to a broad mosaic of care, in which survivorship is also a key part of our approach to cancer. By doing so, we can take a giant step toward reducing or even eliminating the burden of cancer in our nation and the world. It’s no longer an impossible dream, but a real possibility for the future.”

What will the bill do?

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.

The 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act will provide critical funding for promising research in early detection, and supply grants for screening and referrals for treatment. These measures will also ensure patient access to prevention and early detection, which is supplemented by increased access to clinical trials and information.

The bill places an emphasis on strengthening cancer research and the urgent need for resources to both prevent and detect cancers at an early stage. The bill strives to give scientists the tools they need to fight cancer and to understand more thoroughly how the disease works. Through fostering new treatments, increased preventative measures and funding for research, the ALERT Act begins a new chapter in how Americans will live with and fight cancer.

 To follow the status of S. 717 bill and to make a difference please write your Senator to voice your support for this bill.

The Fight Pink Alliance Applauds Senators Kennedy, Hutchison for Bipartisan Cancer ALERT Act!