we MUST do more

I’ve gotten a lot of emails about some recently released research showing that cancer deaths dropped for the second straight year (read the story, read Cancer Statistics 2007). The research conducted by the American Cancer Society shows that there were 3,014 fewer deaths due to cancer from 2003 to 2004 (the most recently available data) than in the previous year. After reading about the findings and listening to people talk about it on TV and Radio, I can’t help but think: the efforts over the past 30 years have finally yielded a drop in deaths. that’s a great thing. that’s what we are all working for. but it’s too little. Way too little. we cannot declare victory today.

we MUST do more.

The report says we are making the greatest progress against breast, prostate and colorectal cancers…but

we MUST do more.

The report notes that the federal breast and cervical program only reaches 1 in 5 eligible women between ages 50-64 as currently funded. I know that if we increased federal funding to this program by $669 million (approximately what we spend every 2.5 days in Iraq) over 5 years, we could screen up to 450,000 more women annually and save even more lives.

we MUST do more.

Currently there is NO federal screening program for colorectal cancer, but we know that up to 80% of the cancer incidences in people 50-64 could be prevented, if these individuals were screened using colorectal screening guidelines that are already in place.

we MUST do more.

This is the easy stuff. This is taking what we ALREADY KNOW and making it what we DO.

we MUST do more.

I also wanted to say thank you to the people of Iowa. I had a great time yesterday. I got to reconnect with some old friends (T.J., who does an unbelievable job running RAGBRAI) and make some new friends (Governor Chet Culver), but most importantly I had a chance to deliver the army’s message to more than 1500 people.

Here is a story, video and photo gallery from the event.

LIVESTRONG,
Lance