Democratic Presidential Candidate Edwards To Outline Proposal That Would Increase Cancer Research Funding, Prevention Efforts

Democratic presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) on Sunday in Iowa said that he plans to outline a proposal to address cancer in the U.S., the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports. Among other provisions, the proposal, which Edwards plans to announce on Monday at a two-day forum sponsored by seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, would:Seek a significant increase in NIH funds for cancer research;

Expand efforts to test and monitor chemicals that might increase cancer risk;

Establish a national research program to identify environmental factors that might increase cancer risk and promote lifestyle changes that might reduce risk; and

Increase support for respite care for individuals who care for cancer patients.Edwards said, "I'm going to propose a national strategy for cancer survivorship. It's a new way of thinking about cancer."

In addition, he said, "I want any man or woman who faces this diagnosis to have access to ... high-quality health care," adding, "Uninsured cancer patients get half the treatments and have higher morality rates. We need to have a national strategy" (Glover, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 8/26).


NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday included a discussion with Armstrong about the Livestrong Presidential Cancer Forum and federal funding for cancer research (Russert, "Meet the Press," NBC, 8/26). Video of the complete program is available online. A transcript of the complete program also is available online.

Richardson Discusses Health Care in Nevada
In other election news, presidential candidate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) on Wednesday during a visit to Fernley High School in Fernley, Nev., discussed health care and other issues, the Nevada Appeal reports.

During the visit, Richardson said that the U.S. should focus on access to health care for the uninsured, underinsured and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. In addition, he said that U.S. should improve health care for veterans and mental health care for troops (Pearson, Nevada Appeal, 8/24).

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