Biden Administration Asked Congress for $2.8 Billion for Cancer Fight

On Thursday, March 9, President Joe Biden asked Congress for over $2.8 billion to ensure his cancer-fighting goals could be reached.

Approximately $1.7 billion of the funding would be sent to the Department of Health and Human Services to guide President Biden's cancer initiatives among various departments and agencies, per the White House, who shared the information exclusively with The Associated Press before formally disclosing the announcement on March 9 in Philadelphia.

The funding appeal would help to ensure a "cancer moonshot" initiative President Biden declared the prior year, intending to diminish cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years. The Cancer Moonshot was launched in 2016 by President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden to help diminish the number of cancer deaths nationwide.

The Biden Administration hopes to decrease the gaps in cancer screenings and to comprehend and treat environmental and toxic exposures linked with specific cancers. He also aims to lessen the rate of preventable cancers, including cancers associated with tobacco use and poor nutrition. The administration will also use the funding for innovative research to help patients and their caregivers.

Biden, who turned 80 last November, previously had cancerous skin lesions removed. First Lady Jill Biden had Mohs surgery on January 11 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to remove basal cell carcinoma (BCC) above her right eye, found during her skin cancer screening.

Like any other disease, early cancer detection can significantly help a patient with the chance of survival. According to the WHO, cancers detected in late stages often have a diminished chance of survival and lead to more considerable complications in treatment. It is important to get regular cancer screenings to detect any early signs of cancer and receive treatment if needed.

In the United States, approximately 1.9 million new cases of diagnosed cancer occurred in 2021, with 608,570 cancer deaths. Cancer is the second most significant cause of death in the U.S., followed by heart disease. Overall, cancer screening rates in the nation went down from 27.4% in 2012 to 21.6% in 2020, accounting for around 4 million individuals.

To ensure safety in the nation and diminish cancer rates, it is crucial that Congress provides enough funding for the healthcare industry and continues with the Cancer Moonshot program.

Can you prevent cancer?

According to experts, some cancers can be prevented with preventative care, such as avoiding tobacco and other unhealthy habits. According to the American Cancer Society, around 42% of newly diagnosed cancer cases can be avoidable, with 19% of cancers deriving from tobacco use and approximately 18% from unhealthy body weight, alcohol, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity.

Over 5 million diagnoses can be prevented for skin cancer by limiting sun exposure and staying away from indoor tanning beds.

Regular cancer screenings are great options for detecting early-onset cancers and provide necessary initial treatment.