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The Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act seeks to reduce barriers and increase access to participation in government-funded cancer clinical trials among communities that are traditionally underrepresented in trials. Read more about this important law and the legacy of Henrietta Lacks.

Each month, the Cancer Policy Institute profiles advocates who have been engaged in cancer advocacy. Read on to learn more about Liz and the issues that she is most passionate about, including bladder cancer and ostomy awareness and education.

Since the signing of the National Cancer Act in 1971, scientific and medical progress has resulted in extraordinary advancements in our ability to treat cancer. However, equally as important as treatment advances is our ability to detect cancer at the earliest stages, when the chance of surviving for at least 5 years is high.

Nancy Sharp concludes her Resilience series with a poignant reflection on what it means to lead a more resilient, optimistic life after losing a loved one to cancer.

Nancy's husband died of brain cancer when her children were just 2 years old. Read more about her experience and her insights on the humanity of medicine today during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each month, the Cancer Policy Institute profiles advocates who have been engaged in health advocacy. Read on to learn more about Adam and his passion for early and equitable cancer detection. If you are interested in learning more about policy, advocacy, and ways to get involved, sign up to be a part of the Grassroots Network!

The Cancer Support Community is excited to announce the launch of its new Biomarker Testing Tool for lung cancer. This groundbreaking streamlined platform empowers lung cancer patients and their loved ones to be informed and active participants in the treatment decision-making process.

I dare say I’m not the only one feeling fragile during these long months grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s like I’ve lost a layer of skin. And now, just as students like my daughter have returned to the classroom and college campus, cases are rising. How long will the pandemic continue to pose a threat to our health and way of life? Will things ever be “normal” again? The answers seem more and more unclear. Still, life persists. Babies are born. Lovers marry. Too many good people die from cancer.

Clinical trials are a promising avenue for expanding treatment options and extending survival for people with cancer. However, out-of-pocket costs associated with trial participation and gaps in insurance coverage create barriers for many cancer patients. The CLINICAL TREATMENT Act guarantees coverage of the routine care costs of clinical trial participation for Medicaid enrollees with life-threatening conditions, like cancer.

“I see a lot of patients and caregivers paralyzed by fear, especially after a tough diagnosis,” Dr. Boxwell said. “It’s easy to become immobilized in these situations, and this is why movement created by walking is so essential. When we move our bodies, we move our minds. In this way, patients and caregivers learn to see different possibilities.”