Because it is so widespread, virtually every family in America has been touched by cancer.  My heart goes out to all those families who face this challenge daily.  

Early detection and treatment can mean the difference between life and death and are critical to surviving cancer. The Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Act of 2007 expands access to early detection, early treatment, and survivorship services for people diagnosed with cancer. At your request, I am co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation so that those diagnosed with cancer have a better chance of winning the fight against this devastating disease. 

We must also continue to pour resources into research that can lead to better detection, treatment, and potential cures for cancer. Congress has placed a high priority on funding medical research.  In the last few years, Congress has succeeded in doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  This is quite an achievement and a significant step toward providing cutting edge treatments for victims of all diseases.   

As a ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have supported these efforts year in and year out.  The 2007 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act sustained the nearly $5 billion for the National Cancer Institute, which is part of NIH, that was appropriated in 2006.  With this funding, NIH will be able to continue its ground breaking research, with the hope of one day finding a cure for cancer and many other diseases.