Earlier this evening, Congressman Dan Boren (OK-2) joined us a special guest during our monthly Grassroots Advocate Chat to share his personal story and explain why he is such a passionate champion in the fight against colorectal cancer. He commended the advocates on the call for the work they are doing. As he explained, it is simple – “Advocates Are Saving Lives!”

As we end the year, and get ready for a new Congress to convene, Rep. Boren had some advice and tips to share with us…

“Colorectal Cancer Is Not Sexy”

“It Is A Non-Partisan Issue”

“Not That Many Members of Congress Have Been Personally Touched by Colorectal Cancer”

“Get Involved, and Get to Know Your Representative Individually”

– Rep. Dan Boren (OK-2)

Congressman Boren also shared with us the news that he is working on a bill that would authorize the sale of a postage stamp to fund colorectal cancer research! We will be continuing to work with the Congressman on this legislation so that it is ready to introduce early next year and we will be lobbying to support the bill during the 2011 Call-on Congress.

Watch Congressman Boren’s complete remarks.

Almost half of the colorectal cases in the United States are diagnosed at late-stages of the diseases when treatment is more difficult, according to a new report released today by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC). Significant findings of the study “Surveillance of Screening-Detected Cancers (Colon and Rectum, Breast, and Cervix) — United States, 2004-2006” include:

* Incidence rates of late-stage colorectal cancer increased with age and were highest among black men and women.
* Late-stage colon and rectum incidence rates ranged from 51.0 to 86.5, and were highest in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

“This report causes concern because so many preventable cancers are not being diagnosed when treatment is most effective,” said Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Director, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “More work is needed to widely implement evidence-based cancer screening tests which may lead to early detection and, ultimately, an increase in the number of lives saved.”

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We are very pleased to announce that Representative Dan Boren (D-OK) will be joining us on our December Grassroots Advocate Chat to talk about a new bill he will be introducing early next year that will provide for new funding for colorectal cancer research.Register today to talk with Rep. Boren about this exciting new bill.

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“You can be a housewife in Texas or a lawyer in Washington, and your story, your passion – that is what is going to make the change.” – Suzanne Lindley, 2010 Call-on Congress Advocate

Ballots are still being counted in some districts, but one thing is already clear – the 112th Congress will have the largest freshmen class in years. In January, at least 95 new Representatives and 16 new Senators will come to Washington.

The only way we will get the newest members of Congress to make the fight against colorectal cancer a top legislative priority is if we tell them why it should be a priority. Come climb the steps of the Capitol with us. Read the rest of this entry »

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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