While a majority of states are still missing important opportunities to pass and implement legislative solutions proven to prevent and fight cancer, there is progress being made to move the nation closer to ending cancer as we know it, according to a report released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality" rates states on the strength of proven policies that help prevent a disease that kills more than 1,600 people a day nationwide.
The report, an annual snapshot of state policies, indicates that progress in several areas of cancer prevention has slowed. Few states are passing strong statewide tobacco control measures and according to the report only eight states are funding breast and cervical cancer screening programs at adequate levels. However, policies to improve patients' quality of life and ensure they have access to the right chemotherapy drugs have increased in popularity among states.