The Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act - What you need to know

One of the biggest battles that we have in the lung cancer community is getting more federal funding for lung cancer research. Just take a look at federal funding levels per death. There’s one part of why survival rate for lung cancer haven’t moved as much as that of other cancers.

In 2009, the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act (LCMRA) was introduced. It was the first time a bill addressed decreasing lung cancer mortality through an interagency approach. It called on the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and Department of Veterans Affairs to work together towards a strategy to address prevention, early detection, and treatment.  The bill was introduced in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate and included both Democratic and Republican co-sponsors. It got widespread support, with additional co-sponsors and dozens of organizations submitting endorsements. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the bill out of it committee and to the floor for a vote before the end of the congressional session.

The LCMRA was re-introduced last week, again in both the House and Senate and again with both Democratic and Republican co-sponsors. On the Senate side, the co-sponsors are Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and John Kerry (D-MA). On the House side, co-sponsors are Reps Donna Christianson (D-VI) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ). The bill is similar to the 2009 version with a few differences. In this version, the agencies will decide on the level of funding, compared to an actual designated amount from the 2009 version. As anyone who follows the news knows, we are in the midst of a very difficult time for asking for federal funding, given the budget battles going on up on Capitol Hill. Not setting a number on funding was necessary to get it introduced. This will allow Congress to evaluate the bill and then set funding on it accordingly. Another difference in this version of the bill was the addition of a lung cancer screening pilot (demonstration) project. This was based on the results from the NCI’s National Lung Screening Trial, which showed that low dose CT scans can detect lung cancer early and reduce mortality. This is similar to how mammograms and colonoscopies started when they were found to have a benefit in detecting breast and colon cancers. 

So, what's the next step? How do we get this bill passed and increase federal funding for lung cancer research? That's where you come in. We need you to contact your Senators and Representative and ask them to support the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act. There are two ways that you can do this:

• Send an email to them. The easiest way is through the LCA website. We have set up an easy template that you can use, but you can tailor it to include your own story and why you think this is important. Click Here to write an email. 
• Call. For the next month, LCA has set up a toll free number that you can call to be connected directly to the office of your Senators or Representative. All you need to know is your zip code, and we'll do the rest. Call 877-727-5068 and you will be walked through the whole thing. 

Are you asking "Is this really going to make a difference?" 

Yes, yes, and YES!!! The squeaky wheel gets the grease. You want to know why there is a sea of pink and lots more funding for breast cancer? It's because survivors and loved ones did the same thing and got the attention of their elected officials. We need survivors and loved ones to join this army and demand equal treatment. 

Not quite ready or need more information? Here are some great resources to look at:

• LCA Webinar. This Webinar was held on Wednesday to help people learn more about the bill. 
• WTF? Hop on over to check out Jen Windrum's awesome resources and summaries. She attended our annual Capitol Forum a few months back and has been a great champion for increasing lung cancer funding. 

We are counting on everyone do help with this. Federal funding for cancer research is what pushed the survival rates for other major cancers forward. Now it's our turn. And we can't do it without you. 

If you take action, please leave a comment to this blog and tell us about your experience.

Thanks! 

From Amy, TeamLCA