LoBiondo Introduces Legislation to Boost Federal Funding for Prostate Cancer Research

Press Release

LoBiondo Introduces Legislation to Boost Federal Funding for Prostate Cancer Research

A strong advocate for increasing awareness and research into prostate cancer and its treatments, U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today introduced the "Prostate Cancer Research and Prevention Act." Under the legislation, funding for awareness, research and prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be continued through 2012. The legislation was introduced with Representative Tim Holden (PA-17).

"Early detection and prevention remains the key to beating prostate cancer and other illnesses while promoting a general healthy lifestyle," said LoBiondo. "This Father's Day, I encourage every adult male to be proactive about their health by routinely getting a thorough medical exam, including being screened for prostate cancer. I remain committed to finding federal resources to further research into these critical areas, and hope that additional public-private partnerships will be formed in our ongoing efforts to beat these life-threatening diseases."

Studies show that one in six men will develop the deadly disease; with prostate cancer being the second most common type of cancer found in American men, with nearly 219,000 new cases this year alone. In New Jersey alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that 8,070 new cases will be diagnosed and 750 men will die from this disease this year.

Specifically, the bill would allow the CDC to continue providing grants to states and local health departments to ensure they educate the public about the importance of early screening while extending the authority of the National Cancer Institute at the NIH to conduct clinical research to learn more about the causes of prostate cancer, and to ultimately find a cure.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of early screening for prostate cancer, which continues to save lives everyday," said Betty I. Gallo, founder of the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. "Rep. LoBiondo's legislation is an important part of our strategy for finding a cure and making sure that we educate the public, and I thank him for his leadership."

In addition to the support of the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, LoBiondo's legislation is again endorsed by the American Cancer Society and the Men's Health Network. LoBiondo introduced this legislation this week - Men's Health Week - which annually precedes the upcoming Father's Day celebration.

Furthermore, LoBiondo is again cosponsoring H.R. 1440, the "Men's Health Act of 2007," which would establish an Office of Men's Health at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Mirroring the work of the existing Office of Women's Health, this new office would coordinate research activities, recommend public policies, and engage in public-private partnerships in our communities that encourage men to engage in healthy lifestyles.

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