Cancer Survivors Support Landrieu Legislation

Comprehensive Cancer Care Bill Would Make Planning and Coordination New Standard of Care

Millions of people affected by cancer are now in a better position to obtain quality cancer care, thanks to the efforts of  U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) who yesterday introduced legislation that would make significant reforms in the system of cancer care. 
 
With the population of American cancer survivors approaching 12 million, increasing numbers of people need vital tools to help them manage their cancer care from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Landrieu's bill, S. 1773, The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (CCCIA), would significantly improve the coordination and delivery of cancer treatment, symptom management, and follow-up care, while also enhancing communication between cancer survivors and their physicians.
 
By establishing a Medicare service for the development of individualized cancer care plans, the legislation would encourage adoption of this practice by physicians. Patients who receive care plans can better understand their treatment options and goals and manage more effectively their care and long-term side effects. The bill also promotes follow-up care plans after treatment to help patients and their future healthcare providers know the potential side effects and health conditions that should be monitored. These plans are a vital step toward improving the quality of care that cancer survivors receive throughout their survivorship.
 
Although follow-up care plans have been recommended in several forums over more than a decade, they gained notable support when the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its groundbreaking report in late 2005, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition.  The report outlines wide gaps in the current system of care for cancer survivors that leave many unnecessarily suffering from permanent and disabling symptoms and long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment. NCCS acting president and CEO Ellen Stovall is a co-editor of the report, which specifically calls for the implementation of treatment summaries and follow-up care plans for cancer survivors.
 
"The CCCIA is focused on effective communication, care coordination, and patient empowerment. It would ensure that people have access to the information they need and that they are part of the decision-making process alongside their physicians from diagnosis and throughout their lives,” said NCCS acting President and CEO Ellen Stovall. "We appreciate Sen. Landrieu leading this effort to improve the lives of millions of survivors and their families, and we look forward to her Senate colleagues joining the effort,” Stovall said. 
 
“Hearing a doctor deliver the news that you have cancer is a traumatic, life-changing moment that triggers the start of a physically and emotionally exhausting battle,” Sen. Landrieu said. “Throughout the course of treatment, people with cancer not only suffer the serious side effects of treatment, including nausea, vomiting, depression and pain; they also have to have to deal with the confusion of being treated by multiple doctors. This legislation encourages the delivery of coordinated, quality care to cancer survivors from diagnosis through survivorship.”
 
The CCCIA has a companion bill in the House of Representatives (H.R. 1844), where it is sponsored by Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Charles Boustany (R-LA) and currently has 44 co-sponsors. The bill has been endorsed by a wide range of patient advocacy organizations, leading cancer centers, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians of all oncology subspecialties who care for people with cancer.