Eshoo, Lance Lead 112 Members in Call for Energy & Commerce Committee Markup of Pancreatic Cancer Bill
Press Release
In a letter to the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) and 112 of their House colleagues called for a markup of their bipartisan bill H.R. 733, the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. Reintroduced by Eshoo and Lance in February 2011, the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education ActIn a letter to the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) and 112 of their House colleagues called for a markup of their bipartisan bill H.R. 733, the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. Reintroduced by Eshoo and Lance in February 2011, the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act now has the support of 271 bipartisan House cosponsors. Its Senate companion bill has 56 cosponsors.
The legislation establishes a national Pancreatic Cancer Initiative, creating a strategic plan to target the high mortality rate associated with the disease and to give the National Cancer Institute the tools it needs for earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and hope for a cure.
"When treatments haven't changed in more than 40 years, and only six percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live longer than five years, it's time for something to change," Rep. Eshoo said. "It's our duty to take action. This bill will ensure that the necessary strategy and resources are in place to increase research, and improve diagnostics and treatments for those suffering from this terrible disease, which is in almost all cases a death sentence."
"Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death. It is a disease without a cure or any means of early detection," Rep. Lance said. "Yet despite these sobering statistics, America lacks a comprehensive, strategic plan to fight pancreatic cancer. To this end, I stand firm with pancreatic cancer patients and their families and my colleagues in the House and Senate in hope that a better plan is put forward so that a cure can be found to this terrible disease."
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