Letter to the Editor: Congress Passes Important Cancer Bill

Thanks to the hard work and persistence by pancreatic cancer advocates, the U.S. Congress recently passed historic legislation that will finally bring hope to those affected by the disease.

The Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, formerly known as the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, passed Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, on Dec. 21, 2012.

This legislation means we are one step closer to creating a national strategy for combating pancreatic cancer, developing early detection tools and effective treatments and improving the lives of those affected by this devastating disease.

Pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth leading cause of cancer death to the second leading cause of cancer death by 2020, possibly as early as 2015. Congress’ support of this bill means we can create a national plan to begin to reverse this trend.

Congressman Sherrod Brown played a critical role in helping the landmark legislation reach the finish line. On behalf of all those affected by pancreatic cancer, he has our sincere gratitude. We’re hopeful that President Obama will quickly sign the bill into law.