Representative Lois Capps

Today, Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) introduced the House version of the 21st Century Cancer Access to Life-Saving Early Detection, Research and Treatment (ALERT) Act (H.R. 6224).  The bill is a modified version of the Senate bill introduced by the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-VA) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) before health care reform was enacted.

In 2010, cancer is expected to be the leading cause of death worldwide.  The 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act is the first comprehensive cancer bill since we first declared war on cancer nearly 38 years ago with the enactment of the National Cancer Act in 1971.

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Embryonic Stem Cells (Image Courtesy of MedicineWorld.org)

This afternoon, a federal appeals court lifted an injunction that barred the federal government from funding human embryonic stem cell research pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the Obama administration’s new policies on the controversial field of science.  The decision today to lift the injunction means the NIH can continue funding embryonic stem cell research as the original case works its way through the court process.
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The House and Senate are finishing up a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the federal government through December 3, and plan to adjourn after voting on the CR until November. Under the CR, funding will continue at FY 2010 enacted levels for most programs – including cancer research programs at the National Institutes of Health and colorectal cancer control programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congress is not expected to finish the fiscal year 2011 appropriations bills until after the election.

Take action today, and tell Congress to increase fiscal year 2011 cancer research funding. As they head home for the election, take a minute to remind Members that they have work to finish when they come back to DC in November. Tell your Senators and Representative that you expect them to make colorectal cancer a top priority.

On Facebook? Take action and share this alert with your friends and family so that they can help in the fight too.
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Listening to just thirty minutes of music significantly reduced pain and distress for cancer patients.

The patients were receiving medication, but still had pain.

Music reduced pain scores by more than 50 percent for almost half of them compared to fewer than 1 in 10 similar patients who just rested in bed. Read the rest of this entry »

Colorectal cancer is the most preventable and beatable cancer if detected early. That’s why you need to Find it First.

Olympus and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition are joining forces to encourage at-risk Americans to commit to being screened for colon or rectal cancer. If you are age 50 or older, have family history of colorectal cancer or have other risk factors, you should commit to be screened at FinditFirst.com.

For each screening commitment, Olympus will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the Coalition. In addition to making a commitment to be screened, visitors will also be invited to join Olympus and the Coalition in urging their Members of Congress to support legislation that ensures all Americans access to life-saving colorectal cancer screening.

Make the commitment at FinditFirst.com, get screened and tell your friends and loved ones!