President Joe Biden is focusing on his administration's 'moonshot' initiative to reduce cancer deaths during his visit to New Orleans. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is fast-tracking progress in preventing, treating, and detecting cancer. Biden aims to cut U.S. cancer fatalities by 50% over the next 25 years before leaving office in January.
Experts believe this goal is achievable with sufficient investments. The American Cancer Society estimates that 2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, with 611,720 deaths. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, stated that existing innovations could further reduce cancer mortality by 20 to 30%.
Biden's personal connection to cancer, including the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer, drives his commitment to the initiative. Advocates commend Biden for uniting stakeholders and securing commitments from various organizations to combat cancer. The administration's efforts have positioned the nation to halve cancer death rates by 2047, potentially preventing over 4 million deaths.
The focus on cancer includes enhancing access to treatments and screenings. Initiatives under Biden have made cancer care more accessible, such as Medicare covering follow-up colonoscopies and navigation services for patients. Advocates also call for a ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes to save lives.
With cancer being a complex disease with various treatments, the hope is for future administrations to maintain the commitment to ending cancer. Dr. Crystal Denlinger, CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, emphasizes the importance of continuing the national effort to combat cancer.
