Prevent Cancer Foundation champions introduction of Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act in the House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kyra Meister
703-836-1746
kyra.meister@preventcancer.org

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, congressional leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced bipartisan legislation that recognizes emerging advances in our nation’s fight against cancer by ensuring Medicare can make a coverage decision for new, innovative tests that can detect multiple types of cancer. The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act will allow older Americans with Medicare the possibility of access to multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and shown to have clinical benefit. H.R. 2407 is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington (Texas-19), Terri Sewell (Ala.-07), Richard Hudson (N.C.-09) and Raul Ruiz (Calif.-25). This legislation modernizes the Medicare program and creates a benefit category for MCED tests, which allows the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to initiate an evidenced-based coverage process for multi-cancer tests upon FDA approval.

For two years, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has led more than 400 organizations from all 50 states in support of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. “Without systems driving us forward to ignite change, existing disparities and the number of cancers found in late stages are likely to remain stagnant or even worsen,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “We cannot move forward in decreasing health inequities and reducing cancer mortality without innovations that detect more cancers early and are accessible to all who need them.”

Current screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers are vital in reducing the burden of cancer. Finding cancer early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, increases the likelihood treatment will be successful, lowers the cost of treatment and improves quality of life for patients and their caregivers. Today, there are recommended routine screenings for only a few of more than 200 cancers, leaving most cancers undetected until symptoms appear, often in later stages.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation has always been a champion for cancer prevention and early detection efforts. In the Foundation’s first annual Early Detection Survey, released in February 2023, 65% of Americans 21 years of age and older said they are not up to date with one or more routine cancer screenings.

“It’s time to shift the power from cancer to the people,” said Ms. Hoyos. “Results from our latest survey indicate a need for continued innovation with less invasive or faster tests. Innovations designed to be complimentary to—not a replacement for—existing screenings will make it easier for Americans to check their health. That is what multi-cancer early detection has the power to do.”

This bipartisan legislation recognizes emerging advances in the fight against cancer by ensuring Medicare can make a timely coverage decision for new, innovative tests that can detect multiple types of cancer before symptoms develop. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is grateful to the bill’s co-sponsors, who are leading the way in Congress to make potentially lifesaving cancer detection technologies available to those who need them most.

If you are with an advocacy, medical, community or public health focused organization interested in joining the Prevent Cancer Foundation in support of the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, contact Caitlin Kubler, Director of Policy and Advocacy, at caitlin.kubler@preventcancer.org.

To learn more about MCED tests and legislative developments, visit preventcancer.org/early.

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À propos de la Fondation Prévenir le Cancer^®

La Fondation Prévenir le Cancer^® est les seuls États-Unis-basé organisation à but non lucratif uniquement dédié à cancer prévention et précoce détection. Par la recherche, l'éducation, sensibilisation et plaidoyer, nous avons aidé d’innombrables personnes à éviter un diagnostic de cancer ou à détecter leur cancer suffisamment tôt pour être traité avec succès. Nous sommes conduits par une vision d'un monde où le cancer est évitable, détectable et battable pour tous.  

La Fondation se mobilise pour relever le défi de réduire les décès par cancer de 40% d'ici 2035. Pour y parvenir, nous sommes s'est engagé à investir $20 millions dans des technologies innovantes permettant de détecter le cancer à un stade précoce et de progresser multi-dépistage du cancer, $10 millions pour élargir l'accès au dépistage du cancer et à la vaccination médicalement communautés mal desservies et $10 millions pour informer le public sur les options de dépistage et de vaccination.

Pour plus d'informations, s'il vous plaît visitez www.preventcancer.org.