After the pandemic impacted two years of Cancer Action Days, cancer advocates, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the Capitol in Jefferson City on Wednesday, March 2, to meet in person with their elected officials.

A press release says they let their lawmakers know that they can and must do better to prevent and treat cancer. Organizers say Missouri must do better to reduce the burden of cancer by passing fact-based legislation.

ACS CAN volunteer and childhood cancer survivor Allison Johnson said, “By prioritizing prevention and access to care, we could ensure progress continues to reduce suffering and death from cancer. As a cancer survivor, I let my lawmakers know that if we’re going to eliminate cancer as a significant health problem in Missouri, this goal must be top of mind at the Capitol.”

Advocates asked Senators not to support action that would put Missouri’s recently expanded Medicaid program back on the ballot. They also asked lawmakers to provide better access to care by funding the state’s Show Me Healthy Women program and using available federal funds for healthcare coverage through MO Healthnet.

Advocates say legislators also can reduce cancer incidents by supporting the Governor’s recommendation to increase funding for the state’s tobacco control programs by $2.5 million. They say all these would improve access to care, reduce the burden of cancer on Missourians, and allow cancer patients to continue accessing lifesaving care through Medicaid.

This year, an estimated 37,480 people in Missouri will be diagnosed with and 13,050 residents are expected to die from this devastating disease.

Those gathered at the Capitol are calling on Missouri lawmakers to change this by taking steps to make the fight against cancer a priority.

Photo courtesy The Cancer Action Network