[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E118-E119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE CANCER SCREENING COVERAGE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Cancer 
Screening Coverage Act (CASCA). This legislation will increase the 
number of Americans who are covered for breast, cervical, prostate, and 
colorectal cancer screening.
  According to the American Cancer Society, this year, more than 
560,000 Americans are expected to die of cancer--this is more than 
1,500 people a day. The number alone is unsettling, but even worse, is 
the fact that we have screening tools that can help identify cancers in 
its early stages and begin treatment sooner. Cancer screening allows 
for the detection of cancer in its earliest form, when the cost of 
treatment is the least. The survival rate among cancer patients is 
heavily dependent on improvements in treatment and the early diagnosis 
of cancer. Many advances have been made, but the key to survival is 
early detection. It is estimated that the rate of survival would 
increase from 80 percent to 95 percent if all Americans participated in 
regular cancer screenings. This bill will go a long way toward getting 
Americans screened.
  Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans and 
accounts for 1

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out of every 4 deaths in the United States. The American Cancer Society 
anticipates about 1,479,350 new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2009. In 
an effort to ensure that people are screened and that these screenings 
are covered by health insurance, I am reintroducing the Cancer 
Screening Coverage Act (CASCA). My bill will increase the access to 
cancer screening exams for patients of private insurance and the 
Federal Employees Health Benefits plan. The National Institutes of 
Health estimates overall costs of cancer in 2008 at $228.1 billion and 
lack of health insurance prevents many Americans from receiving optimal 
care. My bill requires coverage of mammograms, clinical breast 
examinations, Pap tests and pelvic examinations, colorectal cancer 
screening procedures and prostate cancer screening. By increasing 
access to cancer screening and early detection, we can make certain 
that Americans are able to receive the proper medical treatment and 
reduce the number of deaths caused by cancer.

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