Report Finds NY Making Progress in Fight Against Cancer

A new report finds half of all states are falling short in the fight against cancer, but says New York is making progress.

 

The report is from The American Cancer Society's non-profit advocacy affiliate Cancer Action Network. It identifies nine policy actions state legislatures can take to fight cancer. The report finds New York covers four of these measures, including providing funding for cancer screening programs and expanding Medicaid access.

 

Bill Sherman with the Cancer Action Network says there's more lawmakers can do to make New York a leader in fighting cancer. 

 

"Changing access to care in terms of enhancing it through palliative care, educating caregivers, increasing tobacco control program funding, and also restricting tanning."

 

Sherman says it's up to members of the public to engage their state government and encourage lawmakers to pass measures that would help reduce cancer.

 

"What's really important are the citizens of New York standing up and saying, 'We want you to change this'". 

 

No states have met all nine measures, but Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine lead with six.