The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 10, 2023.
As a cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network advocate, I recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to ask Congress to make fighting cancer a national priority. Among our top asks for Congress was urging members to create a pathway to coverage for new technology to improve cancer early detection which will save lives.
Several companies are developing blood tests to detect multiple cancers early. These multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are intended to complement, not replace, existing early detection tests. According to published data, some of these tests can screen for more than fifty cancers at once, including some rare cancers.
Congress is considering legislation to create a pathway for Medicare to cover this technology following FDA approval. It would be similar to the procedure used when a new prescription drug is introduced. The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would ensure Medicare recipients don’t face unacceptable delays in accessing these new tests once they are FDA-approved and proven effective.
Detecting cancer early could be the difference between life or death. I’m grateful that Senator Blumenthal supports these efforts; and I urge Senator Murphy to follow his leadership and support this very important legislation.
Donna Rogers, Volunteer, American Cancer Soci8ety Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Higganum
