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U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Barbara Comstock (VA-10), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus, today joined doctors, experts and advocates for the first caucus meeting of the 115th Congress. Panelists including Bill Couzens of Less Cancer and Lisa McGovern of the Prevent Cancer Foundation focused on the latest developments in the field of cancer prevention. 

“Every family has been touched by cancer,” said Dingell. “The goal of the Cancer Prevention Caucus is to provide hope to millions of Americans by focusing on ways we can stop cancer before it starts. I look forward to working with my friend Congresswoman Comstock and my colleagues to support innovative education and awareness efforts, and advance smart polices that will ultimately bring us closer to a world where cancer is considered a preventable disease.”

“I am pleased to co-chair the Cancer Prevention Caucus with my colleague and friend Congresswoman Debbie Dingell so we can join forces in the fight for preventing cancer,” said Comstock. “Here in Congress we have the opportunity to shape policies that can advance better detection tools and improve cancer screening techniques that have the potential to save thousands of lives.  We will build on recent successes such as the 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law last year and facilitates better investment in important medical research that is necessary for our researchers and scientists to find early detection, prevention and cures to deadly cancers.  It is critical to advance new preventive technologies, but also improve existing medical practices so we can fight this battle on all fronts.” 

Other experts who joined the panel include Dr. Jann Balmer, director of the Continuing Medical Education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine; Linda Reinstein, co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, and Tom Sherma, Maryland chairman of Less Cancer.

The Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus is a bipartisan forum to engage Members of Congress, their staff, the medical community, advocacy groups, academia and the public on lifestyle and environmental factors that can reduce cancer risk. It seeks to increase education and awareness and advance policy solutions that improve public health and help prevent cancer before it starts.