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Help spread the love on social media this week

​​This Mother's Day let's celebrate all the fun things still to come. 

This week ACS launched a new content for the ‘I Love You Get Screened’ public awareness campaign, just in time for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12. The video features children sharing their favorite things about their mothers.

As with previous ‘I Love You Get Screened’ campaigns, we’re encouraging our team members and our volunteers to share posts, linked below, from ACS social media channels on your personal social media channels.

Since the ‘I Love You Get Screened’ campaign was launched last year, it has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of regular cancer screening through relevant, engaging information that addresses barriers to screening.



  • VOICES of Black Women study launches this week

    ​ACS launches historic population study to drive deeper understanding of cancer disparities.

    This week, the American Cancer Society officially launched the VOICES of Black Women study, designed to help better understand the multi-level drivers of incidence, mortality, and resilience of cancer and other health conditions among Black women in the United States, so we can better understand how to collectively address them.

    This historic study will be the largest cohort study of cancer risk and outcomes among Black women in the United States. The study launched with a pilot in fall 2023 and officially kicked off nationwide on May 6, 2024, with activation scheduled in four waves throughout the summer and into early fall.

    With this study, ACS has a goal to enroll 100,000 Black women across 20 states and D.C., where, according the US Census, more than 90 percent of Black women in the US reside. Recruitment is open to Black women ages 25 to 55 who live in these geographic areas and have not been diagnosed with cancer (except basal or squamous skin cancer). This recruitment model is designed to help enroll women of diverse backgrounds.

    This study is designed to be transformative in helping ACS learn more about why Black women have some of the highest death rates and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the US for most cancers.

    Feedback from the pilot recruitment efforts this fall show women are responding positively to the opportunity to enroll, said Dr. Alpa Patel, study principal investigator and senior vice president, Population Science. ACS team members have been working hard throughout the winter and spring to prepare for the launch since the pilot, with trainings offered for both all team members and specific, cross-functional key groups across the organization. 

    ACS team members are also prepping VOICES ambassadors – a core group of trusted volunteer messengers who will work with VOICES market teams to promote the study in their personal and professional circles. About 40 ambassadors are being trained to date. 

    What can you do to help? 

    • On Tuesday, May 7 and later, share VOICES with your networks on social media and elsewhere. Watch ACS brand social channels for content you can share. Please do not edit available materials.
    • No matter your role at ACS, we all have a role to play in VOICES. Think outside the box for ways you can help. What personal or professional connections do you have that may help further this work?
    • If you live in one of the 20 VOICES priority markets or in Washington, D.C., we particularly need your support.
      1. Check out the VOICES My Society Source page for resources and more information on the study.
      2. Watch for Region and state-specific updates throughout the campaign with actionable information specific to your area.
    • Stay tuned to My Society Source for the latest VOICES updates throughout the remainder of the year.


  • ACS CAN applauds expanding access to affordable health insurance

    On May 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a new rule to expand insurance coverage eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

    The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments last year supporting the proposed rule because it would remove barriers to accessing health care services, which is critical to reducing health disparities and saving more lives from cancer.

    The final rule amends the definition of “lawfully present” in the United States to include DACA recipients for the purposes of the Affordable Care Act tax credits and subsidies. However, it does not move forward with its original proposal to make DACA recipients eligible to qualify for the Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs.

    “ACS CAN believes everyone, including DACA recipients, should have access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage, which ensures people can prevent, detect, treat and survive diseases like cancer,” said ACS CAN President Lisa A. Lacasse. “Excluding DACA recipients from the ‘lawfully present’ definition has created unfair and unnecessary health care disparities for hundreds of thousands of individuals for over a decade. We commend HHS for taking action to reverse this health care injustice so that DACA recipients can have the peace of mind that health care coverage brings. However, we remain concerned that those with the lowest incomes will not have access to Medicaid or CHIP coverage, which has more protections for those with extremely limited incomes.”

    According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 47% of individuals likely eligible for DACA were uninsured. Under previous regulations, DACA recipients were ineligible to enroll in health insurance marketplaces, CHIP and Medicaid due to their immigration status. Now that the rule is finalized, approximately 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients are expected to enroll in coverage.

    “Having comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving diseases like cancer. Only when all individuals have a fair and just opportunity to get and stay healthy can we achieve our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone,” Lisa said.

    ​​

  • Volunteers recognized for being the heartbeat of our work

    ​Watch the replay of our first Patient Support Volunteer Virtual Summit.​

    Volunteers who made a significant impact this year were recognized and appreciated during the first Patient Support Volunteer Virtual Summit, held on April 24. If you were unable to join live, you can watch a recording on YouTube.

    More than 415 people attended this first-ever event, and 671 registered. Feedback has been pouring in and the overall consensus is that the summit was full of inspiring and eye-opening information. Many guests walked away with a completely new outlook on the scope of our programs and outreach and are motivated to deepen their involvement. Responses to a quick survey at the end of the event have rated the event on average 4.7 out of 5 stars.  

    Some of the immediate participant feedback included the following comments:

    “This Summit has been REALLY great! Very inspiring and touching. And informative! I learned about other programs (like Hope Lodge). It was also wonderful to see the volunteer award winners and hear the video stories. Thank you for all you do!!”

    “The presentation I just heard was very interesting and the testimonies of some people were truly shocking, like Tiana's. I did not know about other programs as wonderful as Ever You or Hope Lodge, and it is very good to know that they exist to be able to give timely information to whoever needs it.”

    “I was not looking forward to the conference on my one day a week off. Left the golf course and my friends and made it just at 3 for the start. Have to admit I was totally impressed. Had no idea all the programs the ACS operates or facilitates. It was worth my attention and wish I could do more.”

    Thank you to the event organizers, speakers, and volunteers who made this event a success!

    Award winners honored during the event included the following.

    Nationwide Patient Support Pillar Awards 

    Two award winners were recognized during the Patient Support Volunteer Virtual Summit and had been recognized previously at the National Volunteer Leadership Summit, held in January, in Atlanta, GA. 

    2023 Patient Support Volunteer Award For Excellence 

    Carol Smith, Wyoming
    The Patient Support Volunteer Award for Excellence recognizes an American Cancer Society volunteer who has made an incredible impact on the lives of people with cancer and their families through one of our mission-driven patient support programs.

    Carol Smith began her volunteerism with ACS in 2008, when she began a 10-year run as a local Relay For Life event lead in her hometown of Lander, WY. However, Carol is best known for bringing the ACS Road To Recovery program to Fremont County, a rural area in Wyoming with more than 39,000 residents. With the majority of the county considered rural, area residents must often travel more than 60 miles one way to get to their cancer treatment. To help address these issues, Carol began working with the American Cancer Society in 2018 to launch the Road To Recovery program in Fremont and helped build up the program to where it is today. Carol actively promotes the Road To Recovery program across the county through volunteer fairs and other community events, church activities, local doctor’s offices, and in the local media. She is also a volunteer driver herself!  

    2023 Lane Adams Quality of Life Award 

    Eleanor Walker, MD, Michigan
    The Lane Adams Quality of Life Award is reserved for those unique caregivers who lead in their areas of expertise and make a significant impact for people with cancer, as well as their families and communities.  

    Dr. Eleanor Walker is a radiation oncologist and serves as division director of Breast Services in Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. She led the implementation of the ExcITE program at Henry Ford, which provides individualized exercise programs for any cancer patient or survivor as well as access to Henry Ford fitness facilities. In 2021, she was awarded a $250,000 grant from Pfizer and the American Cancer Society aimed at reducing prostate cancer disparities in Black men. She led a team focused on providing education to both the community and to providers, visiting churches, community centers, and even car dealerships to provide assessments and screening. In total, 382 men were screened for prostate cancer. This year, Dr. Walker will be a keynote speaker at the Detroit Discovery Ball, highlighting the transportation barriers that many patients face.  

    ACS CARES

    Three award winners were honored.

    2023 Student Standout Leadership Award

    Georgia Kern, South Carolina
    The Student Standout Leadership Award recognizes an ACS student volunteer who has made an impact on the ACS CARES non-clinical student program within the first three months of volunteering. 

    2023 Community Volunteer Award  

    Rose Bourassa, California
    The ACS CARES Community Volunteer award recognizes an volunteer in their unique role as navigation supporters offering information, resources, and shared lived experience to those affected by cancer. 

    2023 Health System Champion Award 

    Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center
    The ACS CARES Health System award recognizes the achievement of the health care team champion(s) who lead the team to this pilot program. 

    Hope Lodge

    Three award winners were honored.

    2023 Margot S. Freudenberg National Volunteer Group Award 

    Delta Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi,  Georgia
    The Margot S. Freudenberg National Volunteer Award is presented annually to a volunteer group in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Hope Lodge program. 

    2023 Margot S. Freudenberg National Volunteer Individual Award 

    Ellen Elam, Texas
    The Margot S. Freudenberg National Volunteer Award is presented annually to a volunteer in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Hope Lodge program. 

    2023 Margot S. Freudenberg National Volunteer Rookie of the Year Award 

    Madison Pope "DJ Ness," Georgia
    The Rookie of the Year award recognizes an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge volunteer who has made an incredible impact on the Hope Lodge program within their first year of volunteering with the program. 

    Reach To Recovery

    Two award winners were honored with the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer award which recognizes an American Cancer Society Reach To Recovery volunteer who has made an incredible impact on the program by continuously going above and beyond. They were:

    Christina Green of Missouri, and Julia Stegeman "In honor of Blanche Williams" of Kansas.

    Road To Recovery

    Twenty award winners were honored in total for the Road To Recovery program.

    Five award winners were honored with the 2023 Rookie of the Year award which recognizes an American Cancer Society Road To Recovery volunteer who has made an incredible impact on the program within their first year of volunteering with the program. They were: 

    Aleks Rabrenovich of California; Jerry Bevacqua of Hawaii; Mike Donohoo of Wisconsin; Rod Morton of North Carolina; and Ron Lay of Pennsylvania.

    Five award winners were honored with the 2023 Pacesetter of the Year award which recognizes an American Cancer Society volunteer who has completed the highest number of Road To Recovery rides this calendar year in their region or state. They were: 

    Bob Johnson of Missouri; Julie Thomas of California; Sandra Waguespack of Louisiana; Yoko Momohara of Washington; and Judy Brim of Kentucky.

    Seven award winners were honored with the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award which recognizes an American Cancer Society Road To Recovery volunteer who has made an incredible impact on the program by continuously going above and beyond. They were: 

    Carol Smith of Wyoming; Cynthia Wilson of Florida; Dana Gruber North Carolina; Kevin Schmidle of New York; Lon Kruger of Nevada; Rob Rickenback of Connecticut; and Tom Beres of Ohio.

    Three award winners were honored with the 2023 Partner of the Year award which recognizes an American Cancer Society Road To Recovery partner who has made a significant impact on the Road To Recovery program. They were: 

    Advent Health, The University of Kansas Health System & The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury.



  • Register for virtual event to discuss cancer inequities among AANHPI people

    ​Addressing Cancer Care Barriers for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders is set for May 21.

    In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and in partnership with the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and ACS CAN’s AAPI Volunteer Caucus are hosting a virtual event to discuss cancer inequities among AANHPI people that face stereotypes, stigma, aggregated data that mask disparities, and cultural and language barriers. The presenters will discuss how disaggregated data, representative and culturally component oncology care, and equitable and accessible patient navigation services can improve access to cancer care and cancer outcomes for AANHPI people.

    Presenters include:

    • Dr. Eun-Ok Im, PhD, MPH, RN, CNS, FAAN, Dean, Professor Laura Lee Blanton Chair in Nursing, The University of Texas
    • Dr. Bonny Morris, PhD, MSPH, RN, Senior Director, Patient Navigation, American Cancer Society
    • Gladys Arias, MPA, Principal, Health Equity Policy Analysis & Legislative Support, ACS CAN

    "Addressing Cancer Care Barriers for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders" is set for Tuesday, May 21, from 12 noon - 1 p.m. ET. Register at this link. 

     



  • May Advocacy Update

    ​Efforts to expand access to quality, affordable health care are in full swing, and there's much progress to celebrate.

    A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse

    Happy first day of May! Our advocacy efforts over the last month to expand access to quality, affordable health care have been in full swing, and there's much progress to celebrate. Our work has been timely as April marked the 7th annual Medicaid Awareness Month, and we've remained focused on advocating for access to care in the 10 states that have yet to expand Medicaid.

    The Medicaid Covers US team recently began pre-screening ACS CAN's new and insightful film, "In Due Season," to highlight the critical importance of Medicaid expansion as a step toward achieving equitable health care. Although the majority of Americans enrolled in Medicaid are White, in the states that have not yet expanded Medicaid, 60% of those caught in the coverage gap are people of color. 

    The film amplifies the lived experiences of Black Americans, featuring families affected by this issue. "In Due Season" also captures expert insight from voices like ACS CAN Board member Dr. Karen Winkfield on the history of discriminatory practices within America's health care system that continue to exacerbate health disparities for Black communities.

    ACS CAN partnered with Black Voters Matter to promote pre-screening of the film through the "Sick and Tired" bus tour, which traveled through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida from April 19 to 25th. The tour included previews of the film, panels with local leaders, health and wellness symposiums, and storytelling booths for participants to share the impact of their experiences with lack of access to health care. The bus tour garnered media attention from news outlets in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, including a feature from ACS CAN Senior Outreach Manager, State & Local Campaigns, Tomica Smith. 

    The tour was particularly timely in Mississippi, where the potential for passing Medicaid expansion has come down to the wire at the end of their state session. There's been recent movement and a call for legislators to advance meaningful legislation. ACS CAN continues to urge lawmakers to not just pass expansion in name, but to ensure legislation will truly increase access to affordable, comprehensive health care, without erecting additional barriers. 

    A big thank you to every team member who contributed to making both the preview of "In Due Season" and the bus tour a great success! We know we are continuing to make headway thanks to our strengthened community partnerships and continued engagement with lawmakers relentlessly elevating the importance of access to care in the fight against cancer. 

    I was thrilled to celebrate this work and wins in many other priority areas during a rewarding weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina at our State Lead Ambassador (SLA) Summit. I joined 159 volunteers and team members to publicly appreciate the tireless commitment of our volunteer leaders across the country. Their efforts through direct lobbying of their elected officials, volunteer recruitment, outreach, and engagement continue to drive our impact. 

    We were also proud to celebrate our thousands of volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week in April. We posted this video across our social channels and shared a volunteer appreciation kudos post thanking our volunteers.

    I am looking forward to an eventful May. Please join us next week, May 9, at our National Policy Forum. I'm excited to see our ACS CAN Board members in two weeks for our Board meeting in Denver. The final days of May will also kick off the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago, which is always an incredible opportunity to meet with our many strategic partners in person and celebrate science discoveries over this past year. 

    Thank you for your continued commitment to our public policy advocacy work.

    As part of ACS CAN’s ongoing commitment to making cancer care affordable for everyone, ACS CAN's 2024 Forum on the Future of Health Care on May 9th will focus on alleviating the burden of medical debt many cancer patients, survivors and their families face. Please register to join us in-person or virtually. 

    In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, ACS CAN, the Oncology Nurses Society (ONS) and ACS CAN’s AAPI Volunteer Caucus are hosting a virtual event: Addressing Cancer Care Barriers for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 12 pm Eastern. Please learn more and register to join us virtually.

    Cancer Votes Update

    Cancer Votes is having early success in the Maryland U.S. Senate race and Oregon Congressional District 3 race. Volunteers recently held candidate coffee chats with U.S. Senate Candidate, David Trone, in Maryland and U.S. House Candidate, Michael Jonas, in Oregon to discuss cancer policies that would further our goal of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. Additional coffee chat events are in the early planning stages for late spring and early summer. In addition, Maryland Senate candidates, Larry Hogan and David Trone, and Oregon Congressional District 3 candidates, Susheela Jayapal and Michael Jonas have signed ACS CAN's Cancer Promise, pledging their support for cancer research funding, ensuring access to affordable, quality health coverage, and ensuring access to cancer prevention and early detection services, including tobacco control.

    Event Highlights:

    National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) Annual Conference

    Today I served as a speaker for NCUIH's Annual Conference - Sustaining Traditions lunch plenary for an audience of Urban Indian Organization (UIO) representatives, Tribal leaders, nonprofits, and representatives from government agencies. ACS CAN sponsored this important conference as we strive to continue serving as a strong ally for American Indian and Alaska Native communities who carry a disproportionate cancer burden.

    National Minority Quality Forum's recent live webinar Amplifying Patient Voices for Health Equity in the Wake of the Inflation Reduction Act explored the importance of patient voices in achieving health equity and provided strategies for amplifying those voices as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services continues to implement the IRA. Panelists included Pam Traxel, Senior Vice President, Alliance Development and Philanthropy, ACS CAN; Donna Cryer, J.D., President and Founder, Global Liver Institute; and Stephanie Dyson, Senior Vice President, U.S. Policy and Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb. The panel was moderated by Pamela Barnes, Director Federal Strategic Alliances, U.S. Policy and Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb.

    National Medical Association (NMA) Colloquium on African American Health

    ACS CAN's James Williams, Director, Federal Relations - Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Screening, participated in NMA’s Health Colloquium Workshop, Removing Cost Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening with the Honorable Troy Carter, U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Carter has been a lead champion of our priority prostate cancer screening legislation, PSA for HIM.

    National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW)

    ACS CAN participated in two events for the NCBW Legislative Day. Angela Sailor, Director of Federal Strategic Alliances, Health Equity, and James Williams, led an advocacy presentation on appropriations, MCED, PSA Screening for HIM, and Screens for Cancer Act. The following day, NCBW asked members of Congress to fund cancer research and pass the PSA Screening for HIM Act, MCED, and SCREENS for Cancer Act. Nishith Pandya, Director of Federal Relations, also participated in the panel on diversity in clinical trials and discussed ACS CAN's work on this issue and why it is a priority. 

    Addressing Representation in Clinical Trials Congressional Briefing  

    In partnership with the Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE), ACS CAN hosted a Congressional Briefing: Addressing Representation in Clinical Trials. The briefing featured remarks by Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA), the lead sponsor of the Modernization of Clinical Trials Act, formerly named DIVERSE. ACS CAN featured panelists including Ms. Beatrice Cardenas-Duncan, Cancer Survivor and Lead Advocate for California, and Dr. Mark Fleury, Principal, Policy Development - Emerging Science.

    Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program & Prevent Cancer Foundation Honors Dr. Francis Collins

    I was thrilled to attend the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program & Prevent Cancer Foundation's reception to honor Dr. Francis Collins, former Director of the National Institutes of Health for his phenomenal impact on science and cancer. At the event, Dr. Collins announced this prostate cancer diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of screening and clinical trials. You can read his powerful OpEd which ran in the Washington Post. We wish Dr. Collins well throughout his prostate cancer treatment. An instrumental leader at the NIH, he championed robust funding for biomedical research. As he eloquently articulated that evening, early detection matters—that's why legislation like PSA For HIM is key for improving access to lifesaving screening.

    State Updates: 

    Iowa Legislature Passes Biomarker Bill 

    Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation into law that will ensure Iowans covered by Medicaid and state-regulated insurance plans now have coverage for biomarker testing when medically appropriate. Precision medicine helps patients access the right treatment at the right time, and this legislation will help reduce disparities in access to these lifesaving innovations in Iowa. We are thrilled that Iowa became the 17th state nationwide to implement ACS CAN’s model legislation. 

    ACS CAN Applauds Virginia Legislation Improving Access to Screening

    Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation aimed at improving Virginians’ access to colorectal cancer screening. The bipartisan proposal will ensure coverage, without cost sharing, for colorectal cancer screening in accordance with the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, including a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive non-invasive screening test. ACS CAN looks forward to the impact this legislation will have on cancer prevention and early detection in Virginia.

    Ohio Court Issues Restraining Order Against Law Prohibiting Local Tobacco Regulations

    Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has issued a temporary restraining order against enforcement of a state law prohibiting local regulations of tobacco and alternative nicotine products. The temporary restraining order blocks the law from going into effect until a preliminary injunction hearing on Friday, May 17. Recall that the tobacco preemption law was passed as part of the budget bill and Governor Mike DeWine vetoed the language, but the General Assembly overrode his veto. Preemption laws have a chilling effect on communities’ ability to pass critical public health measures including evidence-based tobacco control interventions. We will continue to work to reduce barriers to these policies that are critical to our cancer mission.

    California Rooted in Community Empowerment (RICE) Grant Developments

    ACS CAN congratulates the RICE team for their win in Emeryville, CA, which has a population of 12,887 (35.9% White, 30.3% Asian, 17.7% Black, and 9.3% Hispanic or Latino). The Council voted unanimously to pass the first reading of a comprehensive Tobacco Retail Licensing ordinance that ends the sale of all flavored tobacco, sets a minimum price and pack size for cigar products, ends the sale of all tobacco in pharmacies, allows no new retailers near youth areas, and includes a mandatory annual compliance visit and annual youth decoy operation. The council strengthened the policy at the last minute to add 90-day rechecks for stores that fail compliance visits. A second policy also passed to remove the exemption for smoking lounges.

    Federal Updates:

    Major Disappointment as Administration Indefinitely Delays FDA Tobacco Control Rules

    Last Friday, the White House announced it is indefinitely delaying finalization of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rule to end the sale of menthol cigarettes, without mention of eliminating all flavors in cigars, despite an overwhelming amount of evidence demonstrating menthol flavoring is a serious public health risk.  ACS CAN once again calls on the White House to commit to its Cancer Moonshot goal and take meaningful action to reduce tobacco-related cancers. We will continue our work with federal, state, and local lawmakers to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products.

    Patient Quality of Life Coalition Lobby Day

    ACS CAN joined 49 advocates and volunteers representing 22 states and 15 organizations with ACS CAN’s Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC) on Capitol Hill for its 9th Annual PQLC Lobby Day, visiting 48 Senate and 2 House offices. Together we elevated the patient voice and advocated for the passage of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), thanked appropriators for FY24 palliative care funding, and requested that the Senate hold a markup in the HELP Committee, to be followed by a vote on the Senate floor. PQLC, a coalition led by ACS CAN, is made up of more than 40 organizations working collectively to advance the interests of patients facing serious illness by supporting policies that improve and expand access to high-quality palliative care services. ACS CAN urges lawmakers to prioritize passage of this important legislation this year to save lives.

    Patient Advocate Groups Urge the Supreme Court to Address Youth Tobacco Use

    ACS CAN joined other tobacco control groups in an amicus brief urging the US Supreme Court to take up the FDA’s appeal of a decision by the 5th Circuit en banc which struck down marketing denial orders the agency had issued for flavored e-cigarette products. The 5th Circuit decision put that circuit at odds with most other circuit courts, which have upheld similar orders. Our brief highlighted the role of flavors in addicting children to e-cigarettes and the ongoing nationwide prevalence of the problem of youth use of these novel tobacco products.

    Advocacy in the News 

    •NYT: Biden Delays Ban on Menthol Cigarettes

    •Forbes: Biden Admin Again Delays Proposed Menthol Cigarettes Ban

    •USA Today: Do cancer patients get enough time off work? Most struggle to balance finances, job duties

    •Radio Health Journal: Cancer Drug Shortage: Deciding Who Lives And Who Dies

    •CNN: Civil rights, medical groups sue FDA over ‘almost unconscionable’ delay in ban on menthol tobacco products

    •CBS News Radio: News on the Hour

    •US News: Anti-smoking Groups Sue FDA Again Over Menthol Ban Delays

    •Politico : Beating cancer used to be bipartisan. What happened?

    •Alabama Reflector : Alabama lawmakers weigh Medicaid expansion approaches in Southern states

    •WJTV: Mississippi man falls into healthcare coverage gap

    •ABC7: Activists ask California legislators to expand access to cancer services (Spanish)

    •Des Moines Register: Expand access to biomarker testing

    •WENY: A look at cancer prevention in the state budget

    •La Crosse Tribune: Linda DeGarmo: US Sen. Baldwin Brought Federal Support to Palliative Care



  • Discovery news briefs

    ​ACS Discovery Pillar work was noted in publications and received recognition.

    • ACS Journal Cancer published a randomized controlled trial funded by ACS that showed the results of virtual reality for pain management in hospitalized patients with cancer.
    • City of Hope and DELFI Diagnostics announced a collaboration, funded by a Discovery Boost grant from ACS, to improve lung cancer screening rates in underserved areas of Los Angeles.
    • Scientific Director, Health Services Research, Dr. Leitia Nogueira spoke with Cancer Today magazine and Global Environmental Health Chat podcast concerning climate change and cancer care.
    • What factors contribute to differences in cervical cancer screening in rural and urban community health centers? A new ACS study highlights the need for tailored interventions to increase screening rates. Read more in ACS Journal Cancer. 

  • Cancer survivors reporting loneliness experience higher mortality risk, new study shows

    ​There is a need to screen for loneliness and provide support to those survivors in need, researchers say.

    A new study led by ACS researchers showed people surviving cancer who reported feeling more lonely experienced a higher mortality risk compared to survivors reporting low or no loneliness. Researchers observed the highest mortality risk among the group reporting the highest levels of loneliness, even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. The findings were published April 25 in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (JNCCN).

    “Loneliness, the feeling of being isolated, is a prevalent concern among cancer survivors as a cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment can result in long-term adverse health effects, which can negatively affect survivors’ social relationships and contribute to loneliness” said Jingxuan Zhao, senior associate scientist, health services research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “There are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the U.S. and that number is expected to increase to 22 million by 2030. We need to address this critical issue now.”

    “Investing in patient navigation services is critical to helping ensure a better treatment experience and better health outcomes including helping patients with social and emotional needs,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), ACS’s advocacy affiliate. “No one should have to take on cancer alone and having a patient navigator helps ensure no one has to by providing necessary support throughout a complex and confusing diagnosis.”

    Dr. Robin Yabroff is senior author of the study. Dr. Xuesong Han is a contributing author.

    Like and share this news on X.


  • New study uncovers lasting financial hardship associated with cancer diagnosis

    ​​Researchers stress need for interventions to help assist working age adults and their families.

    A new study led by ACS researchers highlights the lasting financial impact of a cancer diagnosis for many working-age adults and their families in the United States. It shows a cancer diagnosis and the time required for its treatment can result in employment disruptions, loss of household income and loss of employment-based health insurance coverage, leading to financial hardship. When combined with high out-of-pocket costs for cancer care, nearly 60% of working-age cancer survivors report at least one type of financial hardship, such as being unable to afford medical bills, distress and worry, or delaying or forgoing needed care because of cost. The findings were published April 23 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

    “While the rising costs of cancer care and subsequent medical financial hardship for cancer survivors and families are well-documented in the United States, little attention has been paid to how employment and household income can be affected  by a cancer diagnosis and treatment,” said lead study author Dr. Robin Yabroff, scientific vice president, health services research at the American Cancer Society. “With nearly half of cancer survivors of working age and not yet age-eligible for Medicare coverage, understanding the potential effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment on employment, income, and access to employer-based health insurance coverage is essential.”

    “Today’s findings reiterate the critical role access to affordable, quality care and paid family medical leave plays in reducing the financial toll of cancer on those diagnosed – particularly while they are of working age,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “A majority of cancer patients and survivors (74%) report being forced to miss work due to their illness, most of whom report missing more than four weeks of work, according to an ACS CAN study. No one should be forced to choose between their treatment and their employment. To truly protect patients from the high costs of cancer, Congress must enact paid family and medical leave as well as provide tangible options for affordable health coverage outside of employer-sponsored plans by making permanent the enhanced Marketplace subsidies that allow millions who otherwise have no affordable coverage option to enroll in Marketplace plans.”

    Other ACS authors involved in this study include: Jingxuan Zhao, Dr. Xuesong Han and Dr. Zhiyuan Zheng.

    The new study was covered by USA Today. Like and share on X.
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