Ms. Bauman thanked the Subcommittee members for including $15 million for the Department of Defense (DoD)’s Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) in the fiscal year 2010 bill and urged them to increase the level of funding for the PRCRP to $50 million in fiscal year 2011.

C3 is making the request for funding along with other advocacy groups representing the eight research areas in the PRCRP.  The program, funded through the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) supports high-quality cancer research, concentrating its resources on mechanisms which complement rather than duplicate the research approaches of the major funders of medical research in the United States.

The PRCRP also represents a unique partnership among the public, Congress, and the military.  Congress has required the DoD to ensure that the research funded through the program has relevance to service members and their families.  The research can help service members exposed to toxins and decrease the more than $1 billion that the DoD spends on cancer care.

Although the cancers included in this program are diverse, the research on these disease types is often synergistic. Advances or progress related to one cancer fuels the research on the other cancers in this program, and treatments initially approved for one cancer are routinely found to be effective in others.

In her testimony, Ms. Bauman advised the Subcommittee that areas of focus for colorectal cancer research in the PRCRP could be:

• An inexpensive, non-invasive, accurate screening test;
• Predictive markers to identify who will benefit from which treatments; and
• Accurate diagnostics that can evaluate the markers.

Discoveries resulting from investment in PRCRP research have the potential to transform the investigation of cancer, through the development of new prevention strategies and therapies, and someday, cures.  A $50 million investment will greatly enhance and accelerate such breakthroughs.  It is an opportunity to advance the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of the American public.

Ms. Bauman’s complete testimony is available online here.

A list of the other witnesses who testified at the hearing is available here.

Theresa Vawter, Legislative Assistant for Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) who is the sponsor of the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act (H.R. 1189) which would put in place a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program participated in a panel along with Tom Wharton, Health Care Legislative Assistant and Speechwriter for Representative Dan Boren (D-OK).  Representative Boren is the sponsor of the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Act (H.R. 1330) which will help to increase population-based screening rates for colorectal cancer by requiring all health insurance plans, both individual and group, to cover a colonoscopy for anyone age 50 or older.

Theresa and Tom spoke with the advocates about why each of their bosses is such a champion for colorectal cancer issues.  Like too many Americans, both Representative Granger and Representative Boren have lost family members to this disease.  Each is using their position as Member of Congress to push legislation that if enacted will lower the cost of colonoscopies and expand access to screening and treatment services.

The tips and advice they shared with the advocates helped to prepare them to head to Capitol Hill and meet with their Members of Congress.

On Wednesday, March 17 the advocates marched to Capitol Hill to ask their legislators to support:

• $50 million in funding for the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) at the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2011.  This program at the Department of Defense funds research for a number of cancers including colorectal cancer.
• The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1189) which would establish a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Act (H.R. 1330) would require all health insurance plans, both individual and group, to cover a colonoscopy for anyone age 50 or older.

Their voices were heard on Capitol Hill, and will continue to make a difference in the fight against colorectal cancer!

The program will research cancers, like colorectal cancer, that are not addressed in the breast, prostate, lung and ovarian cancer research programs run by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC).  In addition to colorectal cancer research, the funds will be used to conduct research in the following areas: melanoma and other skin cancers, pediatric brain tumors within the field of childhood cancer research, genetic cancer research and genomic medicine, kidney cancer, blood cancer, Listeria Vaccine for infectious disease and cancer, and radiation protection utilizing nanotechnology.

The $15 million in funding for this new cancer research program was included at the request of Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX) and Jim Moran (D-VA).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2009

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition
1414 Prince Street, Suite 204
Alexandria, VA 22314
http://www.fightcolorectalcancer.org

Contact:  Catherine Knowles (202) 276-5682

House Creates New Cancer Research Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As a result of C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition’s advocacy efforts, $15 million for a new peer reviewed cancer research program is included in the final Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill.

This new cancer research program will research cancers, like colorectal cancer, that are not addressed in the breast, prostate, lung and ovarian cancer research programs run by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command.

The $15 million in funding for this new cancer research program was included in the final bill at the request of Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX) and Jim Moran (D-VA).

Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) released the following statement today following House passage of the defense bill:

“I was pleased to support funding for colorectal cancer research through the establishment of a new peer reviewed cancer research program.  Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the US.  However, federal funding for colorectal cancer research has lagged behind funding for other diseases and I was pleased to support the creation of a peer reviewed cancer research program that will help to address this disparity.”

Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) released the following statement today following House passage of the defense bill:

“The recognition of the need for peer-reviewed research of colorectal cancer in the Defense Appropriations Bill is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of C3. They are as well informed as they are nice, an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Dr. John L. Marshall, Division Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Georgetown University Hospital, Associate Director, Clinical Research, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, released the following statement today following House passage of the defense bill:

“As a researcher, I know first hand how difficult it is to secure funding for innovative cancer research. The $15 million in funding for a new peer reviewed cancer research program will not only help attract new researchers but it will play an important role in developing new treatments for colorectal cancer. I look forward to the implementation of this new program and the discoveries and innovations the funding will secure.”

Carlea Bauman, President of C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition released the following statement today following House passage of the defense bill:

“The $15 million in funding for this new peer reviewed cancer research program will fund research efforts that investigate new methods of studying early detection, screening and treatment of colorectal cancer as well as attracting new researchers to the field. Today marks an important milestone in the fight against colorectal cancer with research on track to receive its fair share of federal resources. We thank the House Appropriations Committee, and especially Representatives Granger and Moran for recognizing the need to step up the fight against this disease.”

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization seeking to eliminate suffering and death due to colorectal cancer. C3 pushes for research to improve screening, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer; advocates for policy decisions that make the most effective colorectal cancer prevention and treatment available to all; and works to increase awareness that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable.

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Download press release in PDF format.

Yesterday evening, House and Senate appropriators met to consider a conference report.  The report is an omnibus package that includes six of the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills.  It includes: (1) the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill (this is the bill that funds a number of cancer programs through NIH, CDC, and NCI); (2) the Commerce Justice Science Appropriations bill; (3) the Financial Services Appropriations bill; (4) the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill; (5) the Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill; and (6) the Transportation and Housing Appropriations bill.  The bill text is available online along with the manager’s statement (this is the part of the bill that includes earmark funding).

The conference report includes nearly $450 billion in spending for fiscal year 2010, and could come to the floor for a vote in the House as early as tomorrow.

Although very large, this first conference report does not include the Department of Defense Appropriations bill.  A second package will be needed expected to complete consideration of the defense bill before the current continuing resolution expires on December 18.

House and Senate appropriators are scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon to consider this second conference report that will include fiscal year 2010 funding for the Department of Defense.  This second conference report is expected to include the funding C3 requested for a new peer reviewed cancer research program to focus on colorectal cancer research.  In addition to funding for the Department of Defense, this second conference report is expected to include a jobs package using TARP money, an estate tax fix, an extension of the highway trust fund, and an increase of the debt limit.

The second appropriations conference report will be considered on the floor in the House next week.

The Senate will take up both conference reports after the House passes them. This timetable will allow Congress to send the bills to the President and wrap up consideration of all the fiscal year appropriations bills before the end of the year.