Representative Albert Wynn (D-MD) along with his colleague Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives March 31st, regarding the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Resolution (H. Con. Res. 302).

Representative Wynn, one of the lead sponsors of the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act (HR 1738), recognized C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition for all of our hard work in bringing awareness here in DC, and all over the country, to the need for change in current colorectal cancer policy (or lack there of).

“This tragedy disproportionately affects minorities, particularly African Americans, who are less likely to have health insurance or see a doctor on a regular basis”, said Wynn. “As a result, African Americans are diagnosed later and are 40% more likely to die from the disease.”

Along with Representative Wynn, Kay Granger (R-TX) has taken a strong position on colorectal cancer. Ms. Granger, who was unable to attend the floor debate, had this to say; “I hope that passage of this resolution will help increase awareness of the importance of early detection and screening in combating colorectal cancer. Screenings are easy to do and could save hundreds of thousands of lives if people took advantage of them.” Granger who is the Republican lead on HR 1738 added, “When there is an opportunity to address problems with common sense solutions, we should. And that is what I will continue to do,”

C3 would like thank Representatives Wynn, Granger and Kennedy for all of their hard work on this issue.

Filmmaker Linda Garmon weaves her personal experience with her husband Larry D’Onofrio’s death from cancer into a documentary than looks at the real "truths" of cancer and cancer treatment thirty years after "War on Cancer" was declared.

PBS stations will air her 90 minute documentary The Truth About Cancer  on April 16th at 9:00 pm eastern time. It will be followed by a half hour panel discussion Take One Step: A Conversation About Cancer with Linda Ellerbee.  Check local PBS stations for exact times.

Garmon says,

But the over-riding message of the program—the most important "truth"—is that while it is an intrinsic part of American culture to think that if you fight hard enough, throw enough resources at something and have a positive enough attitude that you can control your destiny, surviving cancer is all about the biology of the cancer cells—and whether they are susceptible to state-of-the-art treatment. Sometimes you can play by all the rules and just have bad biological luck.

Asked "Does your truth about cancer differ from what others may think is the truth about cancer?" Linda Garmon replied,

Yes, there is a tragic amount of emphasis on "just having a positive attitude" and "just fighting harder" when it comes to cancer stories. This puts a ridiculous amount of pressure on cancer patients who simply have aggressive cancers—and for which little can be done! If this program can change anything, I would like it to change the silly notion that you can survive an aggressive cancer if you "just have a positive attitude."

Linda Ellerbee, herself a cancer survivor, will moderate a follow-up discussion with a panel of doctors who have all been diagnosed with cancer.

Watch a Preview of The Truth About Cancer

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