On March 17, Preventing Colorectal Cancer.Org (PCC) co-sponsored a Congressional Briefing entitled “Developing a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: Saving Money, Saving Lives.”
Located in the Cannon House Office Building amidst the backdrop of healthcare reform, the event was well attended and moderated by Stephen Morris, MD, FACP, PCC’s Board Chairperson. The briefing was also sponsored by the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3).
During the 90 minute session, a distinguished panel of speakers outlined the need to promote access to colorectal cancer screenings, the importance of developing a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program, and the barriers that many Americans face when trying to receive these lifesaving services.
Representative Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), co-sponsor of H. Res. 1053, spoke about the importance of colorectal cancer screening – especially for women. Representative Dahlkemper explained that the proposed House Resolution recognizes that women are equally affected by colorectal cancer -- the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, and second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. She noted that over 50,000 women were diagnosed in 2009 with colorectal cancer and about 24,700 women died of the disease last year. H.Res. 1053 aims to shed light on the misconception that this cancer affects only men.Theresa Vawter, the Legislative Assistant for Representative Kay Granger (R-TX), highlighted a bill that was introduced last year by Rep Granger. The bill, H.R. 1189, is entitled the “Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act.” The proposed legislation supports the cause of fighting colorectal cancer by establishing a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide screenings and treatment for colorectal cancer. The program gives priority to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals who would not otherwise have coverage for colorectal cancer screening, diagnostic follow up and/or treatment. She highlighted that due to the enormous cost-savings of early detection, the provisions of this bill will save Medicare billions of dollars. H.R. 1189 has over 65 co-sponsors but has been sitting in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for over a year.
To illustrate the effectiveness of the nationwide colorectal cancer screening program 
suggested by H.R. 1189, Laura Seeff, MD, Acting Branch Chief of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch at the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the CDC, spoke about the successes of a pilot program carried out by the CDC during the last five years. The program targeted those who are over 50 years old but not yet Medicaid eligible and supported the education of clinicians as well as widespread promotion of screenings through marketing campaigns with such luminaries as Katie Couric. A final evaluation of the program results will be available at the end of this year – which will include a review of key clinical and financial outcomes as result of the CDC initiative.
suggested by H.R. 1189, Laura Seeff, MD, Acting Branch Chief of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch at the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the CDC, spoke about the successes of a pilot program carried out by the CDC during the last five years. The program targeted those who are over 50 years old but not yet Medicaid eligible and supported the education of clinicians as well as widespread promotion of screenings through marketing campaigns with such luminaries as Katie Couric. A final evaluation of the program results will be available at the end of this year – which will include a review of key clinical and financial outcomes as result of the CDC initiative. John Marshall, MD, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Georgetown University Hospital and Associate Director of Clinical Research at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, also provided a dynamic presentation about the need to support efforts to fight colorectal cancer. Dr. Marshall shared the importance of detecting polyps in their earliest stage, and implored the audience to share that message and raise awareness by any means possible.
Dr. Morris also provided many insightful comments throughout the program as a practicing Gastroenterologist. Among other comments, he stressed that a “colonoscopy” exam is still the gold standard in terms of polyp and cancer detection. In closing, the panelists answered an array of questions from the audience that covered issues related to the latest screening guidelines and options, disparities among ethnic groups, and the relationship between H.R. 1189 and the health reform bill.
In conjunction with the briefing, PCC members joined the C3 organization, made up of mostly colon cancer patients and survivors, to visit members of Congress. Among other participants, PCC’s Board Vice-Chairperson, Stan Plavin MD and his daughter, Alex joined the group, and visited several Congressional Offices to chat about the importance of colon cancer screening and care.
For more information about how you can raise awareness with your federal and state elected officials, please contact the PCC for more details.