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Cancer Policy Monitor: September 12, 2023

TODAY: AACR Patient Advocate Forum – What’s Next for Drug Development and Discovery

The next decade promises to be a time of dramatic change for the cancer research community in terms of how new therapies will be discovered and developed. Tune in to the September 12 forum to learn how drug discovery will be transformed through the application of artificial intelligence. Miss the live event? Register to access the recording. Register today!

TOMORROW: AACR to Release 2023 Cancer Progress Report AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

-Benjamin Krinsky, PhD

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) will release its Cancer Progress Report 2023 on September 13, 2023, at noon ET, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This year’s report will provide a detailed overview of the tremendous progress that is being made in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer, and how these advances crucially depend on robust federal investments in medical research. The report will also highlight some of the challenges that remain, including the disproportionate burden of cancer on marginalized groups and medically underserved communities, and the difficulties faced by cancer survivors.

The September 13 report release event will feature several courageous survivors whose stories are featured in the 2023 edition of the Cancer Progress Report. After the report release portion of the program, there will be a special announcement of a new collaborative initiative by the AACR.

The event may be attended in person or virtually. Register to attend the 2023 AACR Cancer Progress Report.

Join the Rally for Medical Research National Day of Action on September 14

The 11th Annual Rally for Medical Research will be held Thursday, September 14, bringing patients, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, and other advocates together for meetings with congressional offices in support of funding for NIH. You can join them by participating in the National Day of Action, also on September 14. Take a moment to contact your members of Congress that day via email or social media and tell them why federal funding for medical research is so important for you, your family, and friends. Find out more about messaging and tools that you can use to contact your members of Congress by visiting the Rally for Medical Research website. 

AACR Supports Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Initiative to Prohibit Flavored Tobacco Products

-Calais Prince, PhD

Menthol, and other flavors in cigarettes, increase smoking initiation, cigarette use, and nicotine dependence. Menthol cools and numbs the throat, subsequently reducing the harshness of tobacco smoke and making it easier for adolescents to start smoking. The introduction of assorted sweet-flavored tobacco products to the market, such as flavored e-cigarettes and cigars, has introduced high school students to tobacco use. To combat these trends, which stand the risk of unraveling decades’ worth of progress made against tobacco use, the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published proposed product standards to prohibit the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. As described in the AACR public comments on the HHS request for information to develop the Draft HHS Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation, finalizing the product standard and banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would reduce the appeal of these products, and ultimately, tobacco–related disease and death.  

In August, the AACR signed the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids statement of support to prohibit flavored tobacco products. The AACR joined hundreds of organizations that also support prohibiting flavored tobacco products, which has the potential to advance health equity and save lives. The AACR will continue to advocate for forward-thinking, data-driven, population-based strategies that will end tobacco-related diseases and mortality.

Patient Advocacy Programs at the AACR Science of Cancer Health Disparities Conference

Join us September 29-October 2 for the 16th AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities to learn, network, and share in rich discussions with patient advocates, researchers, and the healthcare community. Featured advocate events include an inspiring keynote by Aki Smith, roundtables, special sessions on health equity and community engagement, advocacy posters, and more. Learn more.

Applications Open for the 2024 AACR Annual Meeting Scientist↔Survivor Program

The AACR is accepting applications for patient advocates to enroll in the Scientist↔Survivor Program® at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024. This unique educational program provides an opportunity for patient advocates to learn and discuss the latest findings in cancer research, regulatory science, and health science policy. Participants are accepted through a competitive application process. Learn more about the program.

One Month Left for CME Project Livin’ Label Episode 1 – Tucatinib

Project Livin’ Label is a collaboration between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to help educate the cancer community about recently approved cancer therapies, and in particular, to help familiarize both providers and patients with complex product labels. As we approach the three-year anniversary of Project Livin’ Label, early episodes will gradually become ineligible for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. Episode 1 – Tucatinib will lose CME eligibility on October 3, 2023. The episode details the science and the story behind developing the novel small molecule HER2 inhibitor, which is approved to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast or colon cancer. All 11 Project Livin’ Label episodes are available for free on-demand streaming, provide 1.5 CME credits, and include perspectives from FDA, industry, academia, and patients.