Why is the American Cancer Society interested in access to health care?
Because winning the fight against cancer depends on improving access to quality health care. Were making progress in the fight against cancer, but millions of Americans arent benefiting because they dont have access to quality cancer prevention information, early detection, and treatment. Forty-seven million people in America are uninsured, and millions more are underinsuredtheir insurance fails to provide adequate coverage when they are diagnosed with cancer. Recent evidence demonstrates that lack of adequate insurance directly affects cancer outcomes. Two studies published in the July 15, 2007, issue of the journal CANCER show that people who are uninsured are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer, which requires harsher treatment and is more often fatal. These studies confirm our worst fears: The failings of our health care system are directly contributing to needless cancer suffering and death. Thats why weve made access to health care a key organizational priority.
