Advcocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction

Although our country faces a number of health issues, many consider Cancer to be the most wide-spread and devastating. According to the American Cancer Society, 569,490 Americans are expected to die of cancer in 2010 alone. That’s over 1,500 people a day! Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States next to heart disease. It is also very difficult to treat if allowed to progress into later stages. Promotion of healthy lifestyle changes (quitting smoking for example) could help reduce annual cancer cases in the United States by one third. Early detection and treatment is also essential in the fight against cancer in the United States, as over half of new cancer cases can be prevented by early detection. Legislation is proposed to address this issue- H.R. 1927- Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Management Act 2009. This act is aimed at providing more comprehensive education about cancer prevention and providing better information to cancer patients as to how they can improve or cope with their condition. 

Who is affected by the issue?

This issue affects a variety of individuals, depending on what type of cancer is being discussed. Overall however, cancer rates are highest for those of lower socioeconomic [SES] status. People of lower SES are much more likely to engage in activities associated with increased cancer risk such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor diet. Environmental conditions may provide fewer opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles and many marketing strategies also target those of lower SES.  If cancer prevention efforts go into effect, the people of lower SES would benefit from receiving information that would help them enact healthy lifestyle changes and enjoy better quality of life. On the other hand, tobacco industries would likely lose a lot of customers and money, as would other companies known to market or promote unhealthy products and behavior.  

What are the consequences of the issue?

The greatest consequences of this issue are related to the health problems and impaired quality of life for those who have cancer. Cancer can result in a variety of health problems and the treatment can be expensive, painful, and debilitating. This process is also difficult for families of those who are diagnosed with cancer. Struggling to pay for cancer treatment can impair the function of entire families, not to mention the devastation in the event of the loss of a loved one. The death rates from cancer in the United States in 2010 alone are staggering, and without proper prevention and education related to this health issue, the death rate and prevalence of cancer in our society will only continue to rise. 

What is the economic impact of the issue?

In 2010 the estimated cost of cancer  was approximately 263.8 billion.  This estimate includes total cost of health expenditures (treatment, detection, etc.), loss of productivity due to illness, and loss of productivity due to early death. This is a lot of money being spent in relation to an illness that is largely preventable. Those who could possibly benefit from this issue include insurance companies, who earn large sums of money from premiums paid by those who have health insurance. 

What is the social impact of the issue?

This issue affects all of us, directly or indirectly. As a society we are all touched in some way by the deaths associated with cancer- whether it’s a family member or a friend, an employer, teacher or classmate, chances are we all know someone who has been affected by this issue. This issue can be extremely taxing both emotionally and financially, particularly for Cancer victims and their families. Cancer rates have also taken a toll on our country’s overall health status. We could all benefit from better health and well being if  this issue is addressed. Increasing education related to cancer can help us all lead healthier lifestyles and spend more time with our loved ones. 

What are the barriers to addressing this issue? 

 Since those affected most by cancer are individuals of lower socioeconomic status, money presents a large issue that affects the capacity for change in a variety of areas. With adequate funds, it would be possible to restructure the environment to promote healthier lifestyles, educate a greater number of people about the risks of cancer and how to prevent it, and provide  necessary resources for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Unfortunately, our nation as a whole is seriously in debt and it’s difficult to find money for almost any cause. If we start small, however, by increasing the educational efforts in more impoverished communities to promote healthier lifestyle changes, it would be much easier to get the ball rolling. 

What are the resources?

The resources needed to address this issue include: educational resources to inform people of the risks of cancer and how to prevent it, marketing resources to help promote healthy lifestyle change, corporate resources who could help provide funding for cancer prevention or modify their own practices to be healthier, and non-profit resources to assist and organize efforts in poor communities and provide healthier foods, a safer environment, medical assistance, and support for those who have cancer. It is necessary to bring these forces together, through cooperation to assist in lowering the cancer rates in the United States.

What is the history of this issue?

Cancer has a fairly long history, but thanks numerous advances in science and medical technology we have a greater understanding of this disease and how best to prevent and treat it. The American Cancer Society has extensive information about the history of cancer dating back to the renaissance period. Most importantly, however, is the fact that our knowledge regarding cancer, it’s causes, treatment, and prevention, has grown more in the past 20 years than it ever has. In contemporary society, these advances are important but we also need to recognize the social constructs that promote cancer causing behavior and limit positive changes. Through education, we can increase the success of our efforts to reduce the cancer rate in the United States. 

Allies & Opponents

Supporters or allies of this issue would include those who have been or know someone who has been directly affected by cancer. Nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Cancer Care, American Breast Cancer Foundation, and the National Children’s Cancer Society would also likely be supporters of this issue. Opponents would include the tobacco industry, insurance companies, and manufacturers of high-fat foods who may receive criticism and lose customers as a result of increased education and promotion efforts related to this issue. Resolving this issue could be beneficial for both those who oppose and those who support this issue because it could increase our overall longevity and decrease cancer rates. Regardless of which side of this debate you are on, chances are you will know someone who has been a victim of some form of cancer. By helping this cause, everyone could work to protect their family members, friends, coworkers, and classmates from many forms of Cancer and it’s devastating effects.

My Recommendation

Vote YES to assuring and improving cancer treatment education and cancer symptom management.