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New rule set by the FDA goes into effect Tuesday

​Mammogram providers must notify patients and referring physicians about breast density.

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published updates to the mammography regulations that included requiring mammography facilities to notify patients about the density of their breasts. Beginning Sept. 10, 2024, mammography facilities must provide all patients receiving a mammogram with one of two Federal breast density notification statements (either “not dense” or “dense”). Additionally, the mammogram report sent to referring providers must include an assessment of the patient’s breast density. 

The ACS and ACS CAN released a joint statement last year commending the FDA for taking steps to modernize the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) which will help reduce breast cancer mortality. 

Breast density is important for two main reasons:

  • Women who have dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women with less dense breast tissue. It’s unclear at this time why dense breast tissue is linked to breast cancer risk. It may be that dense breast tissue has more cells that can develop into abnormal cells.
  • Dense breast tissue also makes it harder for radiologists to see cancer on mammograms. Dense (fibrous and glandular) breast tissue looks white on a mammogram. Breast masses and cancers can also look white, so the dense tissue can make it harder to see them. In contrast, fatty tissue looks almost black on a mammogram, so it’s easier to see a tumor that looks white if most of the breast is fat tissue.

Patient access to information about the impact that breast density and other factors can have on the risk for developing breast cancer is an important part of a comprehensive breast health strategy. 

ACS has extensive information on breast density on cancer.org and plans to produce an educational video that will be out in time for the rule to go into effect. A flyer is also available on Brand Central.



  • September Advocacy Update

    ​Highlights include ACS CAN's Leadership Summit and Lobby Day, Cancer Votes, and Lights of Hope.

    A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse

    ACS CAN's Leadership Summit and Lobby Day (LS&LD) is just around the corner, and this year, we are proud to host our largest event yet! From September 15-18th, we will welcome close to 750 advocates from across the country for dynamic days of training and advocacy in our nation's capital. 

    LS&LD provides an opportunity to unite nationwide volunteers and invest in their advocacy skills development and knowledge of our key priorities. It also builds strategic momentum toward our federal legislative agenda, elevating specific requests for every member of Congress on Lobby Day. Our priority asks of Congress this year focus on increasing cancer research funding and supporting bipartisan, bicameral multi-cancer early detection (MCED) legislation. Additionally, volunteers will note ACS CAN's support of extending critical Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits that are set to expire in 2025. These enhanced tax credits currently make health care insurance more affordable for millions.

    LS&LD will kick off Sunday, September 15, starting with Affinity Row, an opportunity for ACS CAN volunteer affinity groups to show the impact they've been making across the country and introduce themselves to new volunteers. Please be sure to visit – there's much to learn from these volunteer communities who are working to ensure ACS CAN engages everyone in the fight against cancer. That evening, we will celebrate awardees at our annual National Advocacy Leadership Awards Dinner, honoring the remarkable work of our volunteers and colleagues since last September. 

    On Monday, we dive into our Leadership Summit: a full day of keynotes, general sessions, and breakouts to prepare for Hill visits with lawmakers urging support for our key "asks" for this year. The annual CAN Opener, our ticketed dinner and dancing fundraiser, is on Monday night; if you haven't yet bought your ticket, please do so here. 

    Tuesday is prime time as we execute our Lobby Day, heading to Capitol Hill to elevate our issues in Congressional offices with the mighty power of our blue shirts! That night, participants will gather to honor and remember our loved ones during our display of Lights of Hope at Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. Finally, on Wednesday, we will round out with the President's Recognition Ceremony and closing sessions. 

    We are honored to have special guests joining us, including this year's keynote speaker, author, artist, advocate, and cancer survivor Suleika Jaouad, NCI Director Dr. Kimryn Rathmell, National Distinguished Advocacy Award (NDAA) winners, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), MN Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) and CO Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera (D).

    I invite you to follow along with what will be an impactful few days in the fight against cancer by searching #CancerLobbyDay and #LightsOfHope on social media. Please be sure to amplify on your channels. I look forward to sharing highlights in a Special Edition Update and seeing those traveling to D.C. in less than two weeks. 

    Thanks as always for your support.

    Cancer Votes Update: 

    New Poll: As part of our national Cancer Votes campaign, ACS CAN released a poll this month showing inflation and the cost of living was the most important issue on voters' minds, with the affordability of health insurance being the top health care issue. A majority of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported policies requiring health plans to cover cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs. Voters also expressed concerns about the costs of medical debt, with 53% reporting that they or an immediate family member currently has medical debt.

    The poll findings also showed that 78% of voters were more likely to vote for a candidate who supported making permanent the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) enhanced tax credits. The policy proposal had the support of majorities of registered Republican, Independent and Democrat respondents. Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research conducted the poll. Read our full release.

    Candidate Coffee Chats: In Nevada, Cancer Votes volunteers hosted a coffee chat with U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D) in partnership with Mi Familia Vota, an organization with the mission of building Latino voting power. Watch this video recap from a volunteer, Samantha Gonzales-Russell, who attended the event. Samantha and our Cancer Votes National Ambassador, Phil O'Brien were also featured in a TV interview about our latest poll. 

    In New Jersey, Cancer Votes volunteers hosted coffee chats with the candidates for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, Susan Altman (D) and Congressman Tom Kean (R). And in New York, Cancer Votes volunteers hosted coffee chats with the candidates for New York's 17th Congressional District, Mondaire Jones (D) and Congressman Mike Lawler (R). ACS CAN Board Vice Chair, John Manna, moderated the discussions. 

    In Case You Missed It: 

    Lights of Hope 2024 fundraisers have been hard at work around the country. For those new to ACS CAN, each Light of Hope represents a loved one's cancer story—a survivor, someone in treatment, someone who passed from cancer, or a cancer caregiver. This event is a visual reminder to all elected officials of the strength of our collective voice and our role in this cancer fight – as well as a critical fundraiser for ACS CAN's public policy advocacy agenda. We are grateful to every volunteer participating! 

    You can still get involved by raising funds and donating to Lights of Hope.

    Catch the replay of our In Due Season screening hosted by the ACS CAN Black Volunteer Caucus. Thanks to all who joined the first nationwide virtual screening of In Due Season and virtual panel. Our partner Fenika Miller, Deputy National Field Director for Black Voters Matter, joined the panel discussion in addition to filmmaker Ashley O'Shay, Pam Williams, featured in the film, our host ACS CAN Board Chair Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, and ACS CAN Board member Dr. Karen Winkfield. The panel led a robust discussion about the film and the work ACS CAN is doing to pass policies to expand Medicaid in the ten states that haven't yet expanded. Visit In Due Season's website to watch and share the film, host a film screening, and take action.

    Social Spotlight: Share our August Volunteer Spotlight featuring Michael Hu, a Pennsylvania ACS CAN Legislative Ambassador. Michael was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022. "One of the reasons I got involved [with ACS CAN] was [because] cancer took away a lot from me, and being able to do something that helps others made me feel empowered again," said Michael.

    MCED Push: There's still time to share our social media infographic about the significance of multi-cancer early detection by sharing posts on LinkedIn and Instagram.

    Judicial Update: 

    ACS CAN and its tobacco control partners filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) issuance of marketing denial orders for flavored e-cigarette products in a landmark case that will decide whether the agency can rein in the products and protect kids from a lifetime of addiction to nicotine. Read our full release.

    Advocacy in the News

    • MSNBC: Opinion: Biden’s right that we need new innovations in cancer care. Here’s what we need more.
    • Forbes: Feds Award Up To $150 Million To 8 Research Teams To Improve Cancer Surgeries
    • AP: Biden announces $150 million in research grants as part of his ‘moonshot’ push to fight cancer
    • Roll Call: Biden announces $150 million ‘Cancer Moonshot’ investment
    • Gray TV: President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden to fly to New Orleans on Tuesday for cancer initiative event
    • Stat : With Biden’s departure in sight, advocates seek to preserve gains of Cancer Moonshot
    • Self: What Losing a Testicle to Cancer Taught Me About Masculinity
    • CNN: Stop & Shop will join other major chains and stop selling cigarettes
    • Imperial Valley Press: Congressman Raul Ruiz holds joint conference in support of Clinical Trials for patients
    • Idaho Capital Sun: Without Idaho Medicaid expansion, ‘I may not be here.’ Documentary to share stories
    • Star City News : Hometown Hero: Christine Yoder


  • ACS CAN to host 18th annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day

    ​More than 700 cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones will travel to Washington, D.C.

    From Sept. 15 to 18, more than 700 cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones will travel to Washington, D.C., for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day (LS&LD). ACS CAN advocates representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico, and nearly every congressional district will convene on Capitol Hill to ask Congress to make the fight against cancer a national priority. Photos above are from last year's event. 

    Schedule of Events

    Sunday, Sept. 15

    Volunteers will reach their destination at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel in D.C. on Sunday in time to attend meet and greet opportunities, such as discussions with ACS CAN’s Volunteer Affinity Groups, visiting the New Volunteer Welcome and the Ask Lounge and attending the annual ACS CAN National Advocacy Leadership Awards Dinner – where dedicated ACS CAN volunteers and team members will be recognized for their outstanding work in cancer advocacy. Check ACS2Go and Society Source on Monday, Sept. 16 for a full list of award recipients.  

    Monday.Sept. 16

    Advocates will spend Monday in breakout and training sessions to prepare for lawmaker meetings on Tuesday. The day will conclude with festivities at the CAN Opener Dinner and Dancing Celebration from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., an annual fundraiser for ACS CAN, open to ticket holders (see below).

    CAN Opener Party

    This year’s theme, “To Boldly Go Where No Cancer Advocates Have Gone Before,” provides attendees with a fun opportunity to get a little creative and come dressed in their favorite space-themed attire. There will be a sit-down dinner, live DJ, photobooth and much more. To purchase a $60 ticket online, visit 2024 CAN Opener at fightcancer.org by Sept. 12. Tickets will also be available onsite by the LS&LD registration table on Sept. 15 from 12 noon until 3 p.m. for $70. If you or someone you know would like to attend the CAN Opener, but cannot afford the ticket price, please contact ACS CAN Associate Director of Distinguished Events Chelsea Herman.

    ACS CAN Silent Auction 

    ACS CAN’s Online Silent Auction will be held Sept. 11 until Monday Sept. 16, with items collected and/or donated by ACS CAN staff and volunteers nationwide. Bidding is open to everyone and is not restricted to those attending LS&LD. Examples of donated items include, ACS CAN branded items, signed memorabilia, sweet treats, jewelry, gift baskets and much more. ACS CAN’s Online Silent Auction website will go live on Sept. 11 to preview available items. The online auction will close after the CAN Opener Celebration on Sept. 16 at 8:40 p.m. ET. For additional information, contact ACS CAN Senior Development Manager Molly Waite.

    Tuesday, Sept. 17

    On Sept. 17, ACS CAN volunteers will kick off the “Lobby Day” portion of LS&LD by asking members of Congress to: 

    • Support the highest possible increases for cancer research with $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $ 7.934 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Also requesting $472.4 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) cancer programs, including $230 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
    • Support final passage of H.R. 2407/S. 2085, the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act. This legislation will create a pathway for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer screening tests once they are approved by the FDA and clinical benefit has been shown.

    ACS CAN will also honor federal lawmakers and others who have made exemplary contributions to the cancer fight with its annual National Distinguished Advocacy Award (NDAA) presentation. This year’s recipients are U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz (D-California). 

    Beginning at 7 p.m. ET, ACS CAN will host its annual Lights of Hope Walk, a solemn display featuring nearly 10,000 lights at Constitution Garden on the National Mall, and state columns honoring cancer survivors and memorializing those who have died from the disease. Nearly 65,000 additional bags will be on display at similar events nationwide.

    Wednesday. Sept. 18

    LS&LD will conclude on Wednesday with a keynote address from Suleika Jaouad, Emmy award-winning New York Times author, artist, advocate and cancer survivor. ACS CAN’s annual President’s Recognition Ceremony will start the morning, with awards recognizing lawmakers and pro bono legal work, followed by recognition of the top 10 volunteers who raised the most funds for Lights of Hope. 

    State and local NDAA recipients Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with Pennsylvania State Senator Devlin Robinson, will be honored for their commitment in the fight against cancer for everyone. 

    ACS CAN will also present the Judicial Advocacy Initiative (JAI) award, which recognizes excellence in attorneys who donate services to the cancer fight to support its mission.

    Stay Connected

    All team members are encouraged to follow Leadership Summit & Lobby Day activities on social media. Live updates and photos will be shared throughout the week with the #CancerLobbyDay and #LightsofHope hashtags. Please be sure to amplify on your own channels.

    Check Society Source and ACS2Go and ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse’s X account @LLacasseACSCAN for updates throughout the week.

    In addition to accessing the event website, registered participants can also reference the LS&LD event app to stay up to date with content and view event materials and helpful resources.

    ​

  • Affordability of health insurance is top health care issue, ACS CAN poll shows

    ​Voters also expressed concerns with the costs of medical debt.

    A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) showed that inflation and the cost of living was the most important issue on voters’ minds with the affordability of health insurance being the top health care issue. Read the full polling memo.

    A majority of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported policies requiring health plans to cover cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs.

    Voters also expressed concerns with the costs of medical debt with 53% reporting that they or an immediate family member currently have medical debt.

    The poll findings also showed 78% of voters were more likely to vote for a candidate who supported making permanent the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced tax credits. The policy proposal had the support of majorities of Republican, Independent and Democrat respondents.

    Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research, this poll is a part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes campaign—the country’s leading voter education program for cancer-related issues and policies.

    “Having access to affordable health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving cancer,” said ACS CAN President Lisa A. Lacasse. “Research shows that uninsured Americans are less likely to get screened for cancer and thus are more likely to have their cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage when survival is less likely and the cost of care more expensive. ACS CAN strongly advocates for public policies, like making permanent the ACA’s enhanced tax credits, to make insurance more affordable for people to get the coverage they need.”

    As part of the American Rescue Plan Act enacted in March 2021, Congress made two temporary, but major changes to the ACA tax credits for marketplace plans: it increased the amount of the tax credit for those between 133%-400% FPL; and extended the eligibility for the tax credits to those earning beyond 400% FPL. The ACA enhanced tax credits allow more people to purchase comprehensive health insurance coverage and contributed to historic enrollment in Marketplace plans after they took effect. The ACA enhanced tax credits are set to expire in 2025 unless Congress extends them again or makes them permanent. If they expire, millions will lose access to the affordable, quality health coverage they rely on.

    “Fighting cancer must be made a national priority,” said Phil O'Brien, ACS CAN Cancer Votes National Ambassador. “Lawmakers have the power to directly impact the lives of millions of cancer patients and their families, which is why we hope that the candidates will go on the record with their positions on these critical issues and we urge the public to know where candidates stand on these issues before they vote.”

    ACS CAN is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse, oppose, or contribute to any candidate or political party. For more information, visit cancervotes.org.


  • August Advocacy Update

    ​Highlights include Cancer Votes, In Due Season film screenings, Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Training, and more!

    A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse 

    It's been an unpredictable and unprecedented summer this election year. We were left shaken by the attempt on the life of former President Trump and resulting death and injuries of rally attendees in Pennsylvania on July 13. Acts of political violence run counter to the work we do every day, as our dedicated team and volunteers interact and work with candidates and politicians from all political leanings, at all levels of government to execute our mission. We continue to hope for the safety and well-being of all exercising their right to participate in the political process and an election season free of violence. 

    A week later, on July 21, the nation received news that President Biden was stepping down from the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate. During his Oval Office address on July 24, President Biden acknowledged his commitment to the Cancer Moonshot both now and in the future, saying "I will keep fighting for my Cancer Moonshot so we can end cancer as we know it, because we can do it." We publicly acknowledged President Biden's remarks on social media and thanked him on behalf of families impacted by cancer, for his commitment to our shared goal.

    On Tuesday, Vice President Harris announced her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has been a long-time supporter of ACS CAN's cancer priorities. Governor Walz has championed our federal priorities in Congress and actively participated in our Gubernatorial Cancer Votes campaign in 2018. In July, former President Trump selected Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance, who has served in Congress for two years. Senator Vance cosponsored the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act, a priority for the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, of which ACS CAN is a member. We continue to engage with his office on our advocacy priorities.

    Despite the uncertainty of the next few months, we can predict with certainty that ACS CAN will remain focused on our work to reduce the cancer burden nationwide. We know it will continue to take strong engagement from all of us and reinforcement of the nonpartisan partnership we are part of to reach this goal.

    Our Cancer Votes work remains strong, with 50 candidates now having signed the Cancer Promise. Over the last month, our Cancer Votes National Ambassador and Board member, Phil O'Brien, moderated a coffee chat with Sen. Tammy Baldwin, earning media coverage. We are scheduled to meet with the Harris campaign to discuss our key priorities and continue outreach to the Kennedy and Trump campaign teams with similar opportunities. We also launched the Cancer Votes Challenge on our Power to Impact: Essential Briefing for Cancer Votes Volunteers call, with over 100 volunteers joining live. Our goal for the Cancer Votes Challenge is to reach as many candidates seeking federal office as possible with our ask to sign the Cancer Promise. You can help by asking the Presidential and U.S. Senate candidates to sign the Cancer Promise.

    We appreciate the work you do each day on behalf of cancer patients and their families, and we look forward to another upcoming and impactful Leadership Summit & Lobby Day next month! 

    Lisa

    In Case You Missed It:

    We premiered In Due Season in Washington, D.C. on July 31 at a well-attended screening with featured storytellers Brian Williams, Neidre Fears, and Pam Williams, all with lived experience in the Medicaid coverage gap, and expert voices Dr. Karen Winkfield, ACS CAN Board member, and Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter. The evening was hosted by ACS CAN Board Chair Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard and concluded by a dynamic panel including the film's director Ashley O'Shay, Neidre Fears, Dr. Winkfield, Cliff Albright, Dr. Patrice A. Harris, co-founder and CEO of eMed and former president of the American Medical Association, and moderated by award-winning journalist Andrea Roane. 

    If you weren't able to join us in person in D.C., please join us this evening, August 7 at 7:30 pm eastern for a virtual screening hosted by ACS CAN's Black Volunteer Caucus in partnership with Black Voters Matter. Register here! 

    Interested in hosting a screening? Please contact Carter Steger, VP, State and Local Campaigns. We want to elevate this film and the importance of our efforts to close the remaining Medicaid coverage gaps in the ten states that have yet to expand Medicaid. 

    Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Training: ACS CAN volunteers and staff representing five states came together in San Francisco, CA a few weeks ago to attend the first Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Training, one part of a pilot project to more intentionally engage with diverse communities. This pilot cohort reflected on personal experience, role-played engaging with new partners, and learned about structural biases in health care and cancer care related to their advocacy efforts to deepen their inclusive community engagement skills. We received exceptional feedback on this effort and look forward to collaborating with our volunteers to support their efforts to engage more diverse communities in our work. This pilot program is in response to our volunteers' request for more training to build this critical skill set. 

    ACS CAN is participating in the Annual National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit, August 5-8 in Louisville, KY. Our state and local prevention campaigns team completed the report Fact-Based Tobacco Control Policies: How Does Your State Measure Up? as well as one-pagers for each state including D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico in preparation for the summit. The report is posted on our website: Fact-Based Tobacco Control Policies: How Does Your State Measure Up?

    Social Spotlight: We feature an ACS CAN volunteer each month on social media. In July, we featured Tracy Steuckrath, Ambassador Constituent Lead in California, in honor of Disability Pride Month. "I love being a part of the ACS CAN California team because I have found a community whose goal is to end cancer as we know it," Tracy said. She feels the organization has made a commitment to the inclusion of all people because cancer doesn't discriminate. "The volunteer base includes survivors, caregivers, and the families of those touched by cancer, and as an activist, I know my voice is heard." Read more on Instagram and share! 

    Take Action: We are featuring Danny Efron, an ACS CAN volunteer in Arizona, on our website and across social media this month to amplify the importance of cancer research funding. Danny was facing a stage 4 brain cancer diagnosis in 2022. A new treatment option was available that could pinpoint Danny's radiation therapy to exactly where it was needed. This new medical breakthrough was possible thanks to federal funding for cancer research through The National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute (NCI). Join Danny and make your voice heard by signing the petition urging Congress to increase funding for lifesaving cancer research. Share Danny's video on LinkedIn.

    Federal Updates: 

    The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations considered and approved its draft FY25 appropriations bill that includes significant increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), increases for federal cancer research funding at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and an increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.  The Senate spending bill includes: $50.351 billion for NIH, which is an increase of $1.77 billion from FY24 levels, including $7.49 billion for the NCI, which is an increase of $266 million over FY24. The bill also includes $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), which is the same as FY24 levels. The report recommends increasing funding for CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) by $15 million, from $410 million in FY24 to $425 million in FY25, this includes an increase to the National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. 

    The Committee included $8,000,000, an increase of $2,000,000, for the Initiative for Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes to support efforts including research, education, outreach, and clinical access related to cancer in Native American populations.  See our press statement. 

    The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing in July on addressing medical debt, titled, "What Can Congress Do to End the Medical Debt Crisis in America?" ACS CAN submitted comments to the Committee ahead of the hearing calling on Congress to put forth policy solutions that address the root cause of medical debt by both reducing current medical debt and preventing future medical debt. 

    Access to Clinical Trials: ACS CAN hosted a patient advocacy and public health organization briefing on the Clinical Trial Modernization Act and its benefits for patients. Seventy-four organizations participated. We also briefed our corporate partners and participated in panels and discussions with several external organizations about how this bill would benefit patients. 

    Dr. William Dahut, American Cancer Society Chief Scientific Officer, moderated the Understanding the Power and Possibility of Clinical Trials Congressional Briefing hosted by Research!America. The event was attended by key congressional staff, patient advocates, and alliance members and their networks to discuss the distinct research and development challenges across the discovery, development, and delivery pipeline with a focus on how cross-sector collaboration in research and development is represented in clinical trials. 

    Judicial Updates: 

    ACS CAN and other public health partners sued the FDA in 2018 for failing to require tobacco manufacturers to submit pre-market tobacco applications (PMTAs) as dictated by the Tobacco Control Act. We won the lawsuit in 2019, and that victory directly resulted in millions of PMTAs being submitted and reviewed by the agency. Further action in the lawsuit forced the FDA to publicly disclose how many of the applications it has dealt with. The agency is now seeking to get out of its reporting obligations and is representing it has completed some key applications like JUUL in which it has not issued decisions. In early August, ACS CAN and tobacco control partners urged the district court to keep the reporting obligations in place and clarify that FDA has not completed its review of a product until it issues a decision on it. 

    After thorough review of the publicly available materials FDA released when it provided authorization for two menthol-flavored e-cigarette products, ACS and ACS CAN experts were still mystified as to how the agency could have made the determination that these products are "in the interest of public health" to stay on the market as required by the Tobacco Control Act. ACS CAN and other tobacco control groups submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the agency seeking all data and scientific studies used in making the determination. ACS CAN vigorously objected to the authorizations when they were issued in late June. 

    State Updates:

    In New Jersey, Governor Murphy has signed into law the Louisa Carmen Medical Debt Relief Act, which prohibits debt collectors from reporting a patient's medical debt to consumer reporting agencies.

    As noted above, we hosted a successful Cancer Votes coffee chat with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin in Madison, Wisconsin on July 16. We have confirmed a coffee chat with U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde for September 10. 

    In California our bill to extend the California Breast Cancer Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund and the California Cancer Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (SB 1172) was signed into law by Gov. Newsom. These programs generate about $1 million annually for cancer research.

    The Michigan legislature passed the state's budget with a $2.5 million increase in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, which brings that state's total spending to $4.3 million.

    Advocacy in the News

    • Politico: Washington Watch: Knudsen is happy House appropriators want to boost funding for the National Cancer Institute
    • Washington Post: How Kamala Harris is tackling medical debt — with Roy Cooper's help
    • Reuters: Exclusive: Health advocates target Philip Morris' U.S. launch of heated tobacco
    • National Law Review: The Overturn of Chevron: A New Design for Healthcare Law
    • Cancer Health: 40% of Cancer Cases and Almost Half of Deaths in U.S. Linked to Modifiable Risk Factors
    • West Virginia Watch: Advocates want tobacco prevention, cessation funding on the agenda for W.V. special session
    • 8 News Now: Nevada man shares cancer journey, urges early detection
    • Scranton Times-Tribune: New law offers personalized health care
    • WBTV Charlotte: Gov. Cooper, NCDHHS address plan to wipe medical debt for 2 million+ residents
    • Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Some people in Georgia earn too much to get Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance plan
    • Idaho County Free Press: Guest Column: 'Medicaid expansion is a win-win proposition'
    • WMTV Madison: Cancer advocates ask U.S. Senate candidates to commit to the fight


  • ACS CAN hosts in-person screening of In Due Season, calling attention to the urgency of the Medicaid coverage gap issue

    On Wednesday, July 31, ACS CAN held an in-person national screening of the highly anticipated short film In Due Season - Stories from the Medicaid Coverage Gap at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, in Washington, D.C. ACS CAN Board of Directors Chair Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard hosted the national screening.

    “Elevating this film on a national stage in Washington, D.C. through this premiere screening event is the latest in our efforts to call attention to the urgency of this issue,” said ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse. “ACS CAN will remain unwavering in our work to urge lawmakers in the states that haven’t yet expanded to do the right thing and do it quickly. For the individuals trapped in the health insurance coverage gap, there’s no more time to wait.”

    The in-person screening was followed by a live panel discussion with storytellers from the film, including the director, along with Dr. Karen Winkfield, Neidre Fears, Cliff Albright and Dr. Patrice Harris, former president of the American Medical Association. The event was moderated by journalist Andrea Roane.​​

    In Due Season - Stories from the Medicaid Coverage Gap features storytellers Neidre Fears, a Mississippi mom of three who was stuck in the coverage gap for many years despite working three jobs, Pamela Williams, a Georgia resident who due to a physical condition has been unable to work since 2011 lost her health insurance, and Brian Williams, a life coach from Florida who tries to manage his diabetes without health coverage. The film also featur​es Cliff Albright, co-founder of the civic education nonprofit Black Voters Matter​, as well as subject matter expert and ACS CAN board member Dr. Karen Winkfield, a radiation oncologist and Executive Director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance.

    ACS CAN partnered with filmmaker Ashley O’Shay to develop the film to showcase how systemic racism contributes to health care policy decisions for Black Americans in the coverage gap. The film also highlights an urgent need for a remaining 10 states to expand Medicaid, while building on the story collection and amplification work of ACS CAN in 2018, including over 100 short videos and films from diverse groups of people in the coverage gap as well as providers, health systems administrators and businesses impacted by decisions to expand or not to expand Medicaid coverage.

    View the film’s trailer that has been accepted to feature in the 22nd Run & Shoot Filmworks Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) an Oscar Qualifying Festival​ for the Short Film Category August 2-10 in Oak Bluffs, MA.

    ACS CAN, Black Voters Matter and ACS CAN’s Black Volunteer Caucus​ (BVC) will host a virtual panel following the virtual screening, featuring the storytellers from the film along with Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Dr. Karen Winkfield, and Black Voters Matter National Field Co-Direct​​or Fenika Miller. To register for the virtual screening taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET, visit fightcancer.org.

  • ACS CAN applauds legislation vital to eliminating health disparities

    ​HEAA aims to improve access to cancer research, prevention, early detection and care.

    On July 25, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate introduced legislation to help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024 provides a comprehensive set of strategic policy solutions designed to enhance the health and well-being of underserved and marginalized communities, including policies that help enhance cancer research and improve access to cancer prevention, early detection, and care. The legislation also addresses the intersection of racial and ethnic health inequities with immigration status, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language, and socioeconomic status.  

    HEAA is strongly supported by the Congressional Tri-Caucuses which includes the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Following the introduction, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) President Lisa Lacasse said the following:

    “Cancer is a disease that affects everyone, but it does not affect everyone equally. We thank Rep. Lee, Rep. Chu and Sen. Hirono for championing legislation that includes several provisions that will help ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

    “Early detection of cancer through screening can help reduce the unequal burden of cancer and help improve survival by finding cancer at an early stage when treatment is more effective and less costly. We are pleased that HEAA includes provisions that will address the alarming trend in prostate cancer incidence and disparities, including federal research efforts to identify better early detection tools for prostate cancer and increase representation in prostate cancer clinical trials. The bill also permanently lifts the cap on federal Medicaid spending in the U.S. Territories and brings federal matching rates in line with states, which will fix a longstanding and unjust imbalance that has left many limited-income individuals in the territories without access to lifesaving medical care, including access to breast and cervical cancer screenings.   

    “HEAA focuses on timely collection and publication of demographic data, which is critical to identifying and addressing disparities in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. In addition, the bill includes universal free school meal policies that will help increase access to nutritious school meals to help address food insecurity and improve diet quality, which may reduce risk of diet-related cancer in adulthood.  

    “Achieving our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone requires reducing the cancer burden across all communities. We look forward to working with Congress on important policies to enhance the health and well-being of underserved and marginalized communities.” 

    Visit ACS CAN’s website to learn more about its advocacy work to reduce health disparities.



  • July Advocacy Update

    ​Highlights include Cancer Votes in action, a major milestone for Major Milestone for MCED, and the documentary In Due Season.

    Thanks to all who submitted feedback on this monthly communication last month. We continue to need your thoughts on how we can make the Monthly Advocacy Update as impactful as possible. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to fill out this quick 2-minute survey. Monthly Advocacy Update Feedback 

    A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse

    Cancer Votes Action

    While these past weeks have brought scorching temperatures to D.C. and around the country, ACS CAN's Cancer Votes program has continued to heat up this election cycle. As a direct result of our team’s advocacy, 34 candidates, including 14 U.S. Senate and 20 U.S. House candidates, have already signed the Cancer Promise. Ahead of the first presidential debate in June, we rallied our online advocates to urge the debate moderators to pose questions centered on health care, resulting in volunteers taking almost 900 online actions. Although our issues weren’t the focus of the debate, we will continue to elevate cancer and health care affordability issues in the 2024 election cycle.

    Next week we are looking forward to a coffee chat with U.S. Senate Candidate Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin on July 16, moderated by Phil O'Brien, our Cancer Votes National Ambassador and Board member. We have held other successful coffee chats with candidates, including former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a U.S. Senate Candidate and cancer survivor. These chats are key opportunities for our volunteers to pose questions to candidates regarding our cancer priorities. See photo above.

    We currently have 486 Cancer Votes volunteers activated across 46 states and territories. And we are gearing up for our Power to Impact: Essential Briefing for Cancer Votes Volunteers call on July 16 at 7:30 p.m. EST open to all volunteers. I encourage you to follow our Cancer Votes work and share your voice on your social accounts using #CancerVotes and tagging @ACSCAN. 

    Major Milestone for MCED

    June also brought critical progress for our work to advance access to exciting innovation in early detection for Medicare enrollees when the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means marked up and passed the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act by a vote of 38-0. (See photo at right.) This strong model of bipartisan supported legislation, championed by Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL), has the backing of 292 members of the House of Representatives and 62 senators, two-thirds of the Congress. In addition to congressional support, more than 520 organizations from across the country, in every state, have signed on to one or more formal letters of support.

    ACS CAN volunteers who flew in from key congressional districts joined the D.C. team for the markup hearing on June 27. ACS CAN was acknowledged as a strong supporter of the bill publicly and repeatedly by members of the Ways and Means Committee during the markup. We posted a video wrap up demonstrating our powerful presence that day. Take a look!

    Join the In Due Season Movement 

    This month I’m excited about special screenings for In Due Season, our new short documentary highlighting how systemic racism contributes to health care policy decisions for Black Americans in the Medicaid coverage gap. Join ACS CAN on Wednesday, July 31, at a special film screening and reception in Washington, D.C. at MLK Jr. Memorial Library. RSVP here. You can also join us August 7 at 7:30 pm for a virtual screening hosted by ACS CAN’s Black Volunteer Caucus in partnership with Black Voters Matter. Register here. Interested in hosting a screening? Please contact, Carter Steger, VP, State and Local Campaigns. 

    Thank you, as always, for your continued commitment to ACS CAN, 

    Judicial Updates

    • The U.S. Supreme Court announced on July 2 that it will hear the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) appeal of the e-cigarette case (FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments dba Triton Distribution) in which the Fifth Circuit vacated marketing denial orders (MDOs) issued by the agency for flavored e-cigarette products. ACS CAN and other public health partners urged the high court to take the case in an amicus brief after the Fifth Circuit decision leaves products like Jimmy the Juice and Strawberry Astronaut on the market. Flavors like these are proven to attract youth and make it harder for adults to quit. Seven other circuit courts have let MDOs issued by FDA stand, so there is a circuit split. ACS CAN plans to continue to engage in the case. 
    • In June, the FDA dealt a blow to public health by authorizing the sale of four menthol e-cigarettes manufactured by NJOY LLC. Before then, the FDA had issued MDOs for every flavored e-cigarette product it has reviewed, previously finding the applicants failed to produce reliable evidence their product benefits public health and had not yet authorized any menthol flavored e-cigarettes. ACS CAN will continue strongly advocating to urge prohibition of all flavors in all tobacco products at all levels of government.  
    • ACS CAN criticized a U.S. Supreme Court decision in a joint statement on Loper Bright Enterprises, as the case undermines federal agencies’ authority to issue and defend regulations. The decision overturned a 40-year-old precedent that required courts to defer to executive agencies when a statute is ambiguous. This could lead to major challenges for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the FDA. 
    • ACS CAN and 24 other organizations, applauded the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al. v FDA et al, that allows the drug mifepristone a drug prescribed for the treatment of a variety of life-threatening conditions, including cancer, to remain on the market. The case was thrown out on the grounds that the plaintiffs don’t have standing in their challenge concerning the use and availability of the drug, but ACS CAN remains concerned that other challengers could continue the lawsuit and undercut FDA’s scientific expertise in issuing other drug approvals. 

    Federal Updates

    • The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services considered and approved its draft FY25 appropriations bill that includes increases for federal cancer research funding at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The House spending bill includes: $48.581 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the same as FY24 funding, which included $7.875 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), an increase of $651.1 million, and $500 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), which is a $1 billion cut from FY24 levels. See our statement. 
    • ACS CAN recently hosted a corporate partner briefing and a Congressional Briefing, Exploring Clinical Trials and Cancer Screenings, with the National Hispanic Medical Association to build support for the Clinical Trail Modernization Act. The recently introduced legislation will ensure that more patients—regardless of their economic means or their geographic location—have a chance to enroll in clinical trials. The briefing featured Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA) the lead sponsor of the bill. ACS CAN volunteer and cancer survivor Dulcely Tavarez of New York presented her survivor story along with ACS CAN volunteer Beatrice Cardenas-Duncan of California. The briefing was moderated by ACS CAN’s Director of Federal Relations James Williams and other speakers included Juan Santamaria, MD, FACS, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH, University of Miami Health System.
    • ACS CAN was a pivotal sponsor for the National Indian Health Board’s 2024 National Tribal Health Conference and Public Health Summit in Rapid City, SD. Our sponsorship underscored the importance of cancer research, prevention, and treatment for Indian Health. ACS CAN contributed to the conference's content and educational and networking opportunities by hosting a cancer track. Our rich content included a fireside chat, during the opening plenary, and three workshops: Cancer Screening, Medicaid Unwinding and Protecting Access to Coverage, and Effective Advocacy. We also engaged with the over 1,200 attendees through our exhibit table. ACS CAN and ACS colleagues and ACS CAN volunteers also attended and actively participated in the conference. 

    Take Action

    Urge Congress to increase funding for cancer research. For the first time ever, there are expected to be more than 2 million cancer diagnoses in the U.S. this year alone. Certain types of cancers are on the rise in younger people. Cancer research is one of our best tools to combat these trends. Join us to advocate for more federal funding for cancer and biomedical research.

    State Updates 

    • Governor Shapiro signed an access to biomarkers bill into law, securing a major win for patients across Pennsylvania. The new law will require all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, which will enable more Pennsylvanians to access biomarker testing that can open the door to precision medicine. 
    • The California State legislature passed, and Governor Newsom signed the budget that includes funding to implement biomarker testing beginning this month. 
    • In Ohio lawmakers allocated $50,000 for the Cleveland Hope Lodge in the capital budget to provide structural updates to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and the House-passed biomarkers legislation is now headed to the state senate. 

    In Case You Missed It

    • ACS CAN celebrated Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the United States and commemorates the independence of all Black Americans. As part of the lead-up to this important holiday, ACS CAN staff and volunteers across the country participated in Juneteenth events in their local communities. See our recap post on social media. 
    • ACS CAN, along with our volunteer LGBTQIA+ and Allies and Engagement Group, proudly participated in 35 Pride events across 23 states in June with many more planned throughout the year. See our recap post. 
    • ACS CAN hosted the 17th Annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Research and Health Equity Breakfast on Tuesday, June 25 in Boston, highlighting the importance of biomarker testing to help end cancer as we know it, for everyone, as well as seizing the opportunity to network with leaders from life sciences, health care, business, policymaking, and American Cancer Society funded cancer researchers. Speakers included ACS and ACS CAN CEO Dr. Karen Knudsen, John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Representative Meghan Kilcoyne, Dr. Naomi Ko, cancer survivor Jung A Han, and ACS CAN Board member and emcee Dana Bernson, MPH.

    Advocacy in the News

    •NYT: Here’s What the Court’s Chevron Ruling Could Mean in Everyday Terms

    •Washington Post: What the Supreme Court Chevron decision means for environmental rules

    •CNN: How the Supreme Court’s blockbuster ‘Chevron’ ruling puts countless regulations in jeopardy

    •PBS: How banning medical debt from credit reports could help millions of Americans

    •Salon: Cancer risks are far higher for LGBTQ folks. Here's how health justice groups are fighting back

    •Pink Sheet: SCOTUS' Mifepristone Decision Sets High Bar For US FDA Suits

    •Law 360: 5th Circ. Knocks Out National Block On ACA Preventive Care

    •Penn Live: The Pennsylvania Senate must ensure patients have access to biomarker testing - Opinion

    •CBS 6 Albany: New paid leave bill fails to pass N.Y. Assembly, advocacy group expresses disappointment

    •KTNV Las Vegas: Two-time survivor urges screenings for prostate cancer

    •Daily Memphian: It’s time for Tennessee to expand Medicaid 



  • Decision threatens to disrupt public healthcare system, ACS CAN says

    ​Organizations disappointed by Supreme Court’s move to eliminate the long-standing rule of Chevron deference.

    On June 28, the Supreme Court of the United States announced its decision on the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo case and its companion case, Relentless v. Dept. of Commerce. The majority’s opinion abolishes the rule of Chevron deference. ACS, ACS CAN, and our partners are extremely disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision.

    In response to the court’s decision, the following statement was issued by: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, ALS Association, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Public Health Association, American Thoracic Society, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Child Neurology Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Health Law Program, Physicians for Social Responsibility, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Truth Initiative.

    “As leaders who share a mission to protect and advance the public’s health, our organizations are disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision today to eliminate the long-standing rule of Chevron deference. As we described in our Amicus Brief, which Justice Kagan drew on in her dissent, this rule has long helped ensure that healthcare laws are interpreted and implemented appropriately. We anticipate that today’s ruling will cause significant disruption to publicly funded health insurance programs, to the stability of this country’s healthcare and food and drug review systems, and to the health and well-being of the patients and consumers we serve.

    “Before today, Chevron deference protected the legal stability of public health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. It ensured that laws passed by Congress were interpreted and implemented by expert federal agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As our Amicus Brief noted, large health programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, as well as issues related to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, are extremely complex, so it is key that decisions about how to interpret and implement relevant laws are made by experts at government agencies. Yet today’s majority opinion explicitly ends the use of this sensible doctrine.

    “As leading organizations that work on behalf of people across the country who face serious, acute and chronic illnesses, as well as many people who lack access to quality and affordable healthcare, we will continue to work to ensure that healthcare laws are implemented in ways that benefit the public health.”

    The photo above is taken from CEO Dr. Karen Knudsen’s post on X. Like and share it now.
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