AACR Statement on the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act

Legislation announced today will provide important resources for the growing community of cancer survivors in the U.S.

PHILADELPHIA – American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) President Lisa M. Coussens, PhD, FAACR, issued the following statement regarding the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act announced earlier today by members of Congress:

“The AACR commends Representatives Wasserman Schultz, Fitzpatrick, and DeSaulnier, as well as Senators Klobuchar and Cardin, for their extraordinary leadership of the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act. Breakthroughs in cancer treatment have resulted in more than 18 million Americans living today as cancer survivors, and this Act will provide vital resources for many of them, including supporting personalized survivorship care plans for follow-up care, navigation services, and evidence-based survivorship resources.”

Among other provisions, the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act supports Medicare coverage for developing treatment plans and follow-up care to address long-term side effects from cancer treatment; a complete review of best practices for survivorship navigation programs; an evidence-based cancer survivorship research program; and Medicaid coverage of fertility preservation services for patients with cancer if treatments could lead to infertility. In addition, the bill would promote a standard of care and survivorship plan for pediatric cancer patients as they transition from oncology care to primary care. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Mark DeSaulnier, and Brian Fitzpatrick, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ben Cardin.

For more information, read the one-pager on the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act.