American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

Congress has returned to Capitol Hill and has only weeks to pass year-end legislation that prioritizes the fight against cancer. Before the end of the year, we need Congress to: ✅ Increase funding for lifesaving cancer research ✅ Create a pathway for Medicare to cover groundbreaking multi-cancer early detection tests once they are FDA-approved and shown to have clinical benefit ✅ Support access to breast and cervical cancer screenings Cancer can't wait. Please send a message to your members of Congress today! #CancerAdvocacy #CancerResearch #CancerPrevention #EarlyDetection #CancerScreening

Our November Volunteer Spotlight is Karen Malcolm, Vice State Lead Ambassador for ACS CAN Oregon! As a breast cancer survivor, member of ACS CAN’s Indigenous Volunteer Voices Affinity Group, and member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Karen’s advocacy work has been important for increasing Indigenous voices in engagement with lawmakers. Through Karen’s advocacy efforts, the CTUIR General Council has supported the Multi-cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and urged U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz to support the legislation. Because health disparities persist within Tribal Nations, and many are more than an hour away from cancer clinics, Karen and other Indigenous Volunteer Voices members have focused on addressing equity in cancer treatment and transportation challenges for Indigenous communities. “ACS CAN is a powerful voice on both the state and federal levels,” says Karen. “I enjoy being a member of an organization that helps to ensure continued cancer research funding and early cancer screenings, and [that] asks for support on cancer-related legislation. Having lost so many loved ones and friends to cancer, [and] learning [almost] every day that someone I know has been diagnosed, I want to help end cancer.” On Dec. 2, Karen is speaking on a panel hosted by the American Indian Cancer Foundation about Indigenous cancer survivorship and the importance of early detection through cancer screening. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eYTTjZ-E #CancerAdvocacy #HealthEquity #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #CancerStories #MCEDAct #EarlyDetection #CancerScreening

Christine Yoder, State Lead Ambassador with ACS CAN Indiana, shares how cancer research has affected her family. Her grandson Ollie has brain cancer and new drugs have given his family hope during his second occurrence. But new treatments and drugs can only be discovered with more cancer research. Join Christine and urge your members of Congress to increase funding for cancer research in the next budget: https://lnkd.in/eNdT2VJ6 #CancerResearch #CancerPrevention #CancerAdvocacy #CancerStories

We've joined Bluesky Social! Follow and connect with us to keep up with our #CancerAdvocacy work: https://lnkd.in/eWaCWwRV #BlueskySocial

Have you been impacted by the costs of cancer care? We're seeking cancer patients and survivors to share their experiences on this topic as part of our latest Survivor Views survey. Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/euJEYtnJ #CancerCare #CancerCosts #CancerStories

Clinical trials are key to advancing new standards of care that can improve survival and quality of life for people with #cancer and other life-threatening diseases. But too many patients face financial and logistical hurdles that prevent participation in trials. That's why the #ClinicalTrialModernizationAct is so important for increasing trial participation and driving innovation and the development of new treatments.   ACS CAN and 73 other patient advocacy, public health, and provider organizations thank Rep. Raul Ruiz and Rep. Larry Bucshon for introducing this legislation. It benefits not only trial participants, but all of us.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFqZeMsd   #ClinicalTrials #PublicHealth #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #HealthEquity

Did insurance costs impact your cancer care? We want to hear from you. Your experiences could help reduce the cancer burden for patients and survivors. Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/euJEYtnJ

Over 560 ACS CAN volunteers worked to make sure cancer was an election issue this season through #CancerVotes! Through their determination, over 90 candidates signed ACS CAN’s Cancer Promise—a pledge to support evidence-based public policy solutions to end cancer as we know it, for everyone by accelerating cures, improving access to care, and ensuring access to cancer prevention and early detection services, including tobacco control. Learn more about the impact of Cancer Votes: https://lnkd.in/eyPF9J-9

Have you met our newest volunteer affinity group? Indigenous Volunteer Voices works to end the cancer burden among Native peoples by advocating for policies that honor their unique histories, wisdoms, cultures, and traditions. The members of this affinity group are passionate about health equity in cancer care, particularly because they know cancer affects everyone, but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Nationally, American Indian and Alaska Native people have the highest incidence of and mortality from cancers of the colorectum, kidney, liver, and lung and bronchus than any population. These disparities reflect long-standing systemic racism that has resulted in limited access to quality care, including cancer screening. The affinity group is passionate about helping identify policy solutions to barriers that tribal communities experience when accessing cancer screenings. Indigenous Volunteer Voices worked alongside our five other affinity group to help produce a virtual event on breast cancer screening disparities that exist across communities. We’re proud of their work alongside ACS CAN to ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Learn more about the group: https://lnkd.in/eiJCsuMb #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #HealthEquity #CancerAdvocacy 

Across the country, trans rights are under attack. Over 500 anti-LGBTQI+ bills were introduced this year nationwide, and they're having a chilling impact on medical care—from cancer screenings to restricted treatment. ACS CAN, National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network, and Genentech are hosting a crucial webinar that highlights the devastating impact of anti-trans legislation on the health care of trans individuals and shares important stories from people around the country. Join health care professionals, advocates, and allies—and be part of the change! 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/eXHemuB9 #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #HealthEquity