[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 31, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PREVENTIVE SCREENING FOR COLORECTAL CANCER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 31, 2004

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to re-introduce the 
Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act, a bill that can save the lives of 
thousands of people who might otherwise fall victim to the only 
completely preventable form of cancer.
  Few people realize that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause 
of cancer death in the U.S. for men and women combined. It kills more 
Americans every year than either breast cancer or prostate cancer. An 
estimated 146,940 people will be diagnosed with this cancer in 2004, 
and 56,730 will die from it.
  This is an unspeakable tragedy because colorectal cancer is 
preventable, treatable, and curable when detected at an early stage. 
When colorectal cancer is detected before it has spread, the five year 
survival rate is over 91 percent.
  Further, colorectal cancer is the only cancer we know how to prevent. 
If polyps are discovered in the colon, they can be removed before they 
become cancerous and the cancer will never develop.
  And yet tens of thousands of Americans continue to die from this 
disease, mostly because their cancer is detected at a later, less 
treatable stage.
  No one should die of colorectal cancer. This cancer is preventable 
and detectable. It is slowgrowing and easy to stop in its tracks. The 
fact that over 56,000 Americans die of this disease is nothing more 
than a massive failure of our preventive health system.
  For most Americans, two barriers effectively block their access to 
colorectal cancer screening: ignorance, and lack of insurance coverage. 
Many people simply don't realize they are at risk. When they are 
educated by their doctors and other sources, however, the vast majority 
are ready to undergo screening.
  This brings them to the second major obstacle--insurance coverage. 
Not all insurers cover colorectal cancer screening, even for those 
groups at higher risk. All men and women over the age of 50 should be 
screened regularly, as well as those under 50 at high risk. Screening 
tests are crucial because colorectal cancer often causes no symptoms 
until it is widespread.
  A recent Lewin Group study of the insurance plans offered under the 
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) is illustrative. 
Lewin researchers reviewed the plan materials offered to subscribers to 
determine which covered the full range of colorectal cancer screening 
methods. In 2002, only 3 percent of FEHBP plans covered screening 
colonoscopy. In 2003, that number jumped dramatically to 28 percent. 
Clearly, insurers are realizing that these screening exams make sense. 
Colorectal cancer screening is cost-effective, considering that 
treatment for a patient with an advanced form of cancer can easily be 
$40,000 or more. Preventive screening is good policy, good health care, 
and good economics.
  I am therefore proud to introduce today the Eliminate Colorectal 
Cancer Act, a bill to require insurers to cover a regular colorectal 
cancer screening exam. Doctors and patients will be able to decide 
together the appropriate screening method and frequency of testing. My 
friend and colleague, Rep. Peter King, has joined me as original 
cosponsor of this vital initiative. In the Senate, a companion bill is 
being introduced today by Senators Edward Kennedy and Pat Roberts.
  I am pleased to report that a wide range of respected organizations 
have already lent their support to this initiative, including the 
American Cancer Society. These organizations will be working diligently 
to educate Members of Congress about the need for this legislation and 
to urge their support for it.
  The wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists the names of 58,235 
Americans who lost their lives over the course of that conflict. Every 
year, we lose almost that many men and women to colorectal cancer. But 
we have the power to eliminate colorectal cancer. I urge all of my 
colleagues to cosponsor the Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act and put us 
on the path to realizing this worthy goal.

                          ____________________