77 F
Cruz Bay
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesChristensen Pushing for Lung Cancer Bill

Christensen Pushing for Lung Cancer Bill

Citing a new study on gender differences in lung cancer, Delegate Donna Christensen (D-VI) repeated a call to Congress this week to authorize a coordinated federal effort to reduce lung cancer mortality.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, issued the report entitled “Out of the Shadows: Women and Lung Cancer.” Written in partnership with the Lung Cancer Alliance, the report summarizes existing research on sex and gender differences in lung cancer, gaps in current knowledge and steps to reduce the burden of the disease in women and men, according to a statement from Christensen’s office.
Lung cancer currently accounts for one in every three cancer deaths, with disparate impacts on veterans, black men and non-smoking women.
“This is the biggest cancer killer, and few women even realize that the cancer they are most likely to die of is lung cancer,” Christensen said. “The impact of this disease has been in the shadows for too long, and women of every racial and ethnic background need to know more. This report is their call to action.”
Earlier this Congressional term, Christensen and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) introduced the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act, which, she says, is the first bill to authorize a comprehensive lung cancer research program.
“Lung cancer does not discriminate,” she said. “It is the biggest cancer killer in every ethnic group and yet it has never been addressed with a comprehensive, coordinated plan of action.”
The bipartisan bill calls on the agencies of three government departments to develop a targeted program of research into prevention, earlier detection and treatment that will reduce lung mortality. It sets a nominal goal of reducing lung cancer deaths 25 percent by 2015.
The bill would change Federal Drug Administration procedures and raise the priority for cancer-related research. It also would create an early-detection and disease-management program for soldiers and veterans who smoked or were exposed to carcinogens during service, increasing lung cancer risk. And it would mandate coordinated care programs for current and former military diagnosed with lung cancer
The only female medical doctor in Congress, Christensen sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees health policy in the House of Representatives. She also chairs the Black Caucus’ Health Brain trust and is a member of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues.
The bill now has over 50 cosponsors in the U.S. House. A bipartisan companion bill introduced in the Senate by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) has 18 co-sponsors. It has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Military Personnel, beginning the bill’s journey through the long and arduous committee process.
For more information and to view the report, go to www.lungcanceralliance.org.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.