Only have a minute? Listen instead |
My story is not unlike that of many others who have heard those devastating words, “You have cancer.” Having been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 49 — and 28 years later, being diagnosed with a metastatic recurrence, I am all too familiar with the fight against cancer. As a survivor, senior citizen and founder of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, I can say it is far better to invest funding on the early end of the cancer journey — for early detection — vs. the latter end — for treating late-stage cancer.
That’s why I’m thrilled the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2407) continues to gain momentum in Congress. The bipartisan bill has united hundreds of lawmakers and millions more advocates who want to establish a pathway to Medicare coverage for transformative new cancer technology.
Thanks to the pioneering leadership of Texas’ Rep. Jodey Arrington, the House Ways and Means Committee recently advanced this bill with a unanimous vote (38-0), a major step toward better care and prevention for American seniors, who face the highest risks of cancer.
While this is a critical step forward, their work is not done until Congress passes this bill into law. There’s no time to waste.
For years, Rep. Arrington and leading partner Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., have championed this legislation with the country’s health and optimal cancer care in mind. Their passion and dedication to pairing transformative advances in health care with policy action for all Americans has led more than 295 members of the House and more than 60 senators to follow as formal co-sponsors. ding
Through blood analysis, MCED tests have the ability to detect the presence and location of dozens of types of cancer, with great accuracy. The results of this test can help patients and their physicians catch cases before symptoms arise.
Currently, screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies are available for just five types of cancer. MCED can fill the gaps — and save lives — for many more. Pathways to Medicare coverage established by Congress for previous medical breakthroughs in cancer screening set a powerful precedent and have transformed care.
The five-year survival rate for many cancers when caught early is at least 90%, while 70% of cancer deaths are due to cancers without screening – causing patients to more often receive their diagnoses in later, harder-to-treat stages. All seniors — who face the highest cancer risk of any population — deserve meaningful, equitable access after the FDA gives the green light to new detection tools.
Late-stage treatment also costs more – for patients and the government. Approximately 1 million Medicare beneficiaries will be diagnosed with cancer this year, with 1,200 of those every day receiving a late-stage diagnosis. Overall, that sums up to cost the U.S. approximately $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Average annual costs for Medicare cancer care are up to seven times higher for cases diagnosed in later stages.
Just think of how many more patients, families and loved ones could celebrate survivorship thanks to accessible early cancer detection through H.R. 2407. With the potential to deliver life-saving care while lowering treatment costs, the legislation is a win-win.
As Rep. Arrington shared before the House Ways and Means Committee vote, “nobody is untouched by this insidious disease one way or the other.” This underscores why this is such an urgent, personal initiative for many in Congress and millions across the U.S. MCED tests will help ensure those who do face a fight with cancer have a better chance at gaining the upper hand. We stand fully behind Congressman Arrington and others throughout Congress to pass H.R. 2407 and make that a reality.
Dale Eastman is founder of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation in San Antonio.
