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Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) announced the formation of the bipartisan Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus. The caucus, which is the first of its kind, was formed in collaboration with Bill Couzens, founder of National Cancer Prevention Day and the non-profit organization Next Generation Choices Foundation, widely known as Less Cancer, to expand education and awareness about cancer prevention.

“Cancer impacts nearly every American family,” said Dingell. “As we learn more about this devastating disease, we learn there are critical steps we can take every day to help people reduce their risk, and we need to ensure that message is reaching the majority of Americans. I am proud to lead the Cancer Prevention Caucus with Congressman Murphy, in collaboration with Less Cancer, to help families make informed, healthful decisions that could save lives and, ultimately, bring us closer to a world where cancer is considered a preventable disease.”

“Every family has been touched by the heartbreak of cancer, including mine,” said Murphy. “I’m honored to join my colleague Congresswoman Dingell in the creation of the Cancer Prevention Caucus to advance policy efforts that will boost awareness and educate Americans from coast to coast about ways to prevent these destructive diseases.”    

“We all have felt the excruciating pain that cancer brings,” said Couzens. “I am mindful of America's many losses from cancer and the suffering that accompanies each one. Now is the time to work on stopping cancer before it starts and not only work to halt the rising incidences of cancer, but ensure cancer remains in the past for the next generation. I have much gratitude and am deeply moved by Congresswoman Dingell and Congressman Murphy’s pioneering leadership and bravery in ending cancer once and for all.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1.6 million Americans will receive a cancer diagnosis this year and approximately 589,430 people will die from this devastating disease. 

The Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus is designed to help stop this staggering trend by providing 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. The caucus will seek to increase education and awareness and advance policy solutions that improve public health and help prevent cancer before it starts.