WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren today held a speaker’s rally on Capitol Hill to highlight legislation he introduced to expand health care access and services to thousands of insured Americans. H.R. 3060, the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Coverage Act of 2007, would require that insurance companies provide coverage for early detection procedures for colorectal cancer. Citing studies that demonstrate the success of the procedures, Boren urged fellow lawmakers to consider support for the measure.
“Nearly every family has been forced to confront the pain, fear and tragedy that cancer causes,” Boren said. “No family should lose a loved one to a disease that we have such a great chance of preventing.”
The disease can be prevented through the early identification and removal of pre-cancerous polyps, detectable only through colorectal cancer screenings. Access to screening tests could reduce colon cancer deaths by 80%, according to the Institute of Medicine. When colorectal cancer is diagnosed early, at a localized stage, more than 90% of patients survive 5 years or more. That percentage drops below 10 once the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Only 39% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed while the disease is still in an early stage.
Speakers from several cancer awareness and support advocacy groups including the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, American College of Gastroenterologists, Colon Cancer Alliance and Men’s Health Network joined Boren in urging support for the legislation. Boren spoke of the personal story of his mother’s and grandparents’ fight with colorectal cancer.
“Because of my family history with the disease, I get regular screenings,” Boren said. I encourage all Americans to talk to their doctor about colorectal cancer. Screenings can save your life.”
Boren was introduced by a cancer survivor and Oklahoma District 2 constituent Peter Blanchard. Blanchard was visiting Washington D.C. for a cancer advocacy conference, and was excited to show his support for H.R. 3060 while he was in town.
“I am happy that Congressman Boren continues to make cancer awareness and treatment a priority,” Blanchard said. “I hope that his fellow lawmakers heed his call, and take colorectal cancer detection as seriously as he does.”
Congressman Boren was also joined by Dr. Ralph T. Guild, M.D., who is also the Oklahoma Governor for the American College of Gastroenterologists. Mr. Guild, who flew to Washington D.C. to speak at the event, highlighted his hopes for Boren’s effort to pass this important legislation.
“It is my hope that Congressional leaders take this message to heart, and extend access to insured citizens who are at a critical age for colorectal cancer screening,” Guild said. “If our goal as a society is to save lives, colorectal screening is a proven preventative success.”
####
