States Fall Short on Cancer Prevention
Posted on: Wednesday, 23 July 2008, 21:00 CDT
More than one-third of U.S. states have failed to implement laws and policies that help people fight cancer, officials of a non-profit group said.
The report, developed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, measures state policies on six priority areas: breast and cervical cancer early detection program funding; access to care for the uninsured; colorectal screening coverage laws; smoke-free laws; pain management; and tobacco taxes.
Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said failure to address these issues effectively places barriers in front of those who seek proper diagnosis, treatment and care when facing cancer.
None of the states met the benchmark in all six policy areas measured in the report. Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Tennessee did not meet the benchmark on any of the six issues.
This year, more than 1.4 million people in America will be diagnosed with cancer and another 565,000 will die from the disease.
Source: United Press International
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