June 18th, 2009 · No Comments

In addition to Dr. Epstein, the letter to Congressional leaders was signed by Nicholas A. Ashford, PhD., JD, a professor of Technology and Policy and director of the MIT Technology and Law Program; Richard W. Clapp, DSc, MPH, professor of environmental health at Boston University School of Public Health; and Quentin D. Young, MD, past president of the American Public Health Association and chairman of the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, Chicago

The group recommended that Congress take these steps:

• Declare that it is the national policy of the United States to reduce carcinogenic exposures to confirmed or suspected carcinogens by at least half during the next decade.

• Create a Deputy Director for Cancer Prevention of the National Cancer Institute who, in consultation with the administrators of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other relevant agencies, will report to Congress annually on the steps needed to reduce exposures reasonably anticipated to reduce the prevalence of future preventable cancers. (The Deputy Director of NCI should meet quarterly with these agencies to identify opportunities and recommend new laws to reduce exposures to carcinogens in the environment, the workplace, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products, including food, household goods, cosmetics and personal care products.)

• Allocate at least 40% of the NCI budget to explicit prevention-related programs for FY 2011, and 50% of the budget by FY 2014.

• Mandate the annual publication of a comprehensive register of carcinogens to provide federal, state and local governments, and the public, with comprehensive information on carcinogens in the workplace, environment, and consumer products so they can take necessary preventive action.

The letter was addressed to senators and representatives on key health committees, including: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions;
Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), ranking member, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions;
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations; Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), ranking member, Senate Committee on Appropriations; Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce; Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas),
ranking member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce; Rep. David Obey (D-Wisc.)
chairman, House Committee on Appropriations; Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.),
Ranking Member, House Committee on Appropriations

• To read more on the current healthcare reform debate, see this Reuter’s article about the many facets of the movement to overhaul the American system, or this story in the New York Times about partisan fighting likely to affect the legislation.(Photo credit: Top, Cancer cell by Sebatian Kaulitski/dreamstime.)

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