Cancer and Capitol Hill

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Lisa Moran on June 6, 2023. As a cherished member of LungCancer.net and a source of inspiration, Lisa generously and bravely shared her journey, touching and inspiring many in our community. Her courage fuels our mission, and her legacy will endure in our work. Her absence will be deeply felt, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to all who held her dear. We consider it a privilege that Lisa allowed us into her life, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and our community.

Another U.S. senator has been diagnosed with cancer. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado announced recently that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In his official statement, Bennet said, it is fortunate the cancer was detected at an early stage. He will have surgery during a Senate recess and will return after a brief recovery. This is good news to hear. Early detection is the key to the overall survival of any cancer.

A senator invested in lung cancer research

When I was a letter carrier, Senator Bennet’s Colorado Springs, CO office was one of my delivery points. I got to see, first hand, the many face-to-face meetings he conducted after being elected to the Senate. He met with the people personally. It wasn’t a staffer, it was him, in my town, listening to my neighbors. I saw a man that cared about his constituents, our concerns, and requests.

I went to Washington, D.C. in 2018 for the National Advocacy Summit with Lung Cancer Alliance. I went to Capitol Hill to meet with my senators and congressman to ask for their support for lung cancer research. This time it was me in my representatives’ offices sharing my lung cancer story and voicing my concerns and requests.

Senator Bennet was the only one of my representatives to co-sponsor the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2018 after listening to my needs and understand the importance of lung cancer research.

Before being diagnosed with cancer himself, Senator Michael Bennet knew and understood the importance of cancer research. He recognized the need for lung cancer research and how it could have a positive impact for those of us dealing with a lung cancer diagnosis. He understood the amounts of government cancer research funding is disproportionate. He made the effort to restore the original funding level for the Lung Cancer Research Program.

Putting a dollar amount on life

The truth is the distribution of federal research dollars per cancer death, among all cancers, is appalling. The following are federal research dollars spent on research per cancer death according to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. If Senator Bennet was diagnosed with male breast cancer, his life would be worth $17,508 in federal research funding. With prostate cancer, Senator Bennet’s life is worth $10,250 in federal research funding -- that is a difference of $7,258. If he had lung cancer, funding would go down to $2,309. Compared to breast cancer, that is a difference of $15,199.

How is this fair? One type of cancer, with an average 5-year survival rate of 90%, is worth $17,508 in federal funding and the number one cancer killer, lung cancer with a dismal 5-year survival rate of 18.6%, is only worth an almost unbelievable $2,309.^1,2

It's time to acknowledge lung cancer

I wish Senator Bennet’s prostate cancer diagnosis would open Congress’ eyes to the need for cancer research, for all cancers. I can’t help but think, at this time, Senator Bennet will be the only senator impacted by another member of Congress being diagnosed with cancer.

I will continue to following Senator Bennet’s prostate cancer story. I am sending him good thoughts and hoping for effective treatments and his return to the Senate.