American Brain Tumor Association Applauds Bipartisan Efforts Urging Expanded Research into Brain Cancer

CHICAGO, March 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Brain Tumor Association led efforts that resulted today in a bipartisan letter signed by 28 members of the U.S. House of Representatives requesting expanded research opportunities for brain cancer. The letter–initiated by Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) and sent to the House Committee on Appropriations for consideration in the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations Act– requests the inclusion of "brain cancer" among the disorders eligible for study by the Department of Defense's Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP).

"We appreciate Representative Quigley's leadership and the support of 27 of his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the House on this important bipartisan research initiative," said Elizabeth M. Wilson, president and CEO, American Brain Tumor Association. "We also are deeply grateful for the brain tumor patients and families across the nation who mobilized and contacted their representatives asking them to sign this important letter."

The PRCRP is a $50 million competitive grant program that funds research into 13 eligible cancers and cancer-related disorders. Every year, Congress appropriates funding for the PRCRP through the Defense Appropriations Act, and specifically designates the types of cancers that are eligible for funding. Eligible cancers include bladder, kidney, liver, skin, stomach cancers, as well as neuroblastoma and pediatric brain tumor. The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) is leading the effort to expand eligible cancers to the larger field of "brain cancer" in the PRCRP, and asked Representative Quigley to spearhead this initiative in the House.

This effort comes on the heels of a recent report published in the journal Neuro-Oncology and funded by the ABTA showing malignant brain tumors to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 15-39 year olds and the most common cancer occurring for the age group.

"This is especially significant for our military given that 90 percent of active duty service members fall below the age of 40," said Wilson. "Congressional inclusion of brain cancer in the PRCRP will create new opportunities for the brain tumor scientific community to access critical research dollars for this and all age groups." 

The request submitted through this letter will be considered later this spring by the House Committee on Appropriations.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association was the first and is the only national organization committed to funding brain tumor research and providing education and information on all tumor types and for all age groups. For more information, visit www.abta.org or call 800-886-ABTA (2282).

CONTACT:
Julie Landmesser
219-201-4228
[email protected]

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SOURCE American Brain Tumor Association