New Jersey Senators Sign On in Support of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) praised Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representatives Donald M. Payne (D-NJ) and Steve R. Rothman (D-NJ) for their support for the first comprehensive lung cancer legislation now pending action in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act is a bicameral, bipartisan call to action on the leading cause of cancer death. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ) is one of the primary sponsors of the House of Representatives bill that was introduced earlier this year.

Lung Cancer Alliance's President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose said, "We are thrilled to see this strong support by the New Jersey delegation which we hope will continue to grow and include all members."

Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, nationally and in every ethnic group. According the National Cancer Institute estimates, this year, in New Jersey more people will die of lung cancer - 4,160 - than the combined total of deaths due to breast cancer (1,260), colon cancer (1,510) and prostate cancer (1,100). 

"As a seven year survivor of lung cancer, I believe raising awareness for lung cancer on Capitol Hill is very significant. Due to the low lung cancer survival rate, it is very reassuring to know Lung Cancer Alliance is in Washington, D.C. and is our voice and advocate," said Richard Heimler, a lung cancer advocate. "The government needs to hear our stories, be educated about lung cancer and become proponents to change the perception of this deadly disease to increase research and funding."

"The impact of lung cancer goes beyond epidemic yet few people even know it," said Fenton-Ambrose who noted that today, over 80% of lung cancer patients have never smoked or had already quit, often decades ago.

LCA has been building a network of support for the call to action which includes leading research, veterans, and minority health and labor organizations.

The legislation, H.R. 1394 in the House and S. 752 in the Senate, calls for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Defense and Affairs to develop a coordinated research, prevention, early detection and treatment effort with the specific goal of cutting lung cancer mortality in half by the end of the decade.

Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit dedicated to providing support and advocacy for those living with or at risk for lung cancer.  LCA is committed to reversing decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for lung cancer, elevating awareness and changing health policy at both the federal and state level. For more information visit: www.lungcanceralliance.org. 

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Media Contact:                                                                              
Kay Cofrancesco
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302-521-5716

SOURCE Lung Cancer Alliance