The USA federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Budget eliminates funding ($13.2 million) for the entire Prostate Cancer program at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Malecare asks for your advocacy to restore that funding.

The CDC has produced dynamic prostate cancer research, particularly focused on underserved populations such as African American men, and on improving doctor – patient communication.  However, you should also be aware that the CDC, just like other federal agencies, follow the prostate cancer screening recommendations set forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends against PSA based screening for men who do not have symptoms.

Malecare feels that the benefits of the CDC Prostate Cancer program are worthy of continued funding.

Below, you will find a sample letter, which you are welcome to copy.   Representatives hear from very few prostate cancer survivors and family members so your letter will be surprisingly powerful. Include  a sentence or two stating your personal interest in prostate cancer. For example, start the letter by saying, “I am a prostate cancer survivor,” or “My father has prostate cancer.”

Thank you!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED>>>>WE WON THIS ADVOCACY EFFORT!!!

SAMPLE LETTER

Save the CDC Prostate Cancer Program

Please ensure funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prostate cancer program.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in America. Almost 30,000 American men die from prostate cancer annually.  African American men die from prostate cancer at a rate that is more than twice the rate for white men. Incredibly, President Obama’s FY 2017 Budget request eliminates funding for prostate cancer activities at the CDC.

In each of the past three fiscal years, Congress approved $13.2 million for the CDC to conduct prostate cancer research and public awareness. With this modest amount, the CDC researched and developed materials to improve informed decision making about prostate cancer screening and treatment.

In FY 2014, the CDC funded research on prostate cancer screening for African American men and another study on  prostate specific antigen patterns American Indian and Alaska Native men. In FY 2015, CDC  explored the dangers in decreased Prostate Cancer testing following the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendations. This is life saving science.

The CDC prostate cancer program improves the health of all Americans by developing state and local agencies, supporting economically efficient federal, state and community partnerships. The cancelation of prostate cancer activities will cause termination of local programs, harming men.

According to Malecare Cancer Support, the President’s FY 2017 budget request will imperil the lives of African American men.  Elimination of CDC funding will reduce early health care provider contact and cause increased African American deaths from prostate cancer due to late stage diagnosis.

I am also concerned that silence on the elimination of funding for the CDC prostate cancer program will lead to reduced funding for prostate cancer research in all federal departments and agencies.

Please restore the CDC’s prostate cancer program’s annual budget of $13.2 million.

signed,

Your name, address
Include your phone number and email for authenticity and possible reply from the Representative.

 Cut and past the sample letter into both of the Senate  Appropriations Committee leaders’ online comment boxes and send emails to the staff members of the Congressional representatives .  We know that this can be tedious, but, patient advocacy takes a bit of work.

Your name, address

Click the buttons, below, to send your comments to the Appropriations Committee leaders.