Klobuchar, Markey, Carson Introduce Legislation to Address the Surge of Cancer Among Young Adults

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Congressman André Carson (D-IN) introduced the Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act to establish a national strategy to tackle the rapidly growing rate of cancer among adults under age 50.

The legislation comes as young adult cancer rates have surged - up almost 80 percent globally in the past 35 years - with roughly 200,000 Americans age 18-49 diagnosed and nearly 30,000 dying from cancer each year. Young women are almost twice as likely as young men to develop cancer. In addition to the hardship and tragic loss of life, young adult cancers cost the United States $50 to $80 billion annually from medical care, out-of-pocket expenses, lost productivity, caregiver burden, and premature deaths.

The legislation is named for Asal Sayas, a champion for health advocacy who worked for Senator Klobuchar, Congressman Carson, and President Biden's Cancer Moonshot Initiative. Asal sadly passed away after a six-year battle with colorectal cancer in April at the age of 42. The bill honors Asal's memory and continues her dedicated work, even after her diagnosis, to support young adult cancer patients and bolster cancer research.

"Asal was one of the most committed, passionate members of my team. Even in the face of a cancer diagnosis, she worked tirelessly to increase federal research dollars, expand access to clinical trials, and improve early diagnosis to combat the rise of this disease. She made a real difference and never stopped fighting for others," said Klobuchar. "Our legislation will build on both Asal's work and her experience by strengthening federal efforts to research, diagnose, and treat young adult cancers."

"Young adult cancer is a growing crisis hiding in plain sight. Rates are surging, diagnoses are delayed, and we lack a coordinated national response. That ends today. The Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act will create a much-needed plan to reverse the trend of increasing cancer among young people and ensure faster diagnosis, better treatments, and more support for everyone facing this disease. We named this bill for Asal because she embodied exactly the spirit we need in this fight: determined, compassionate, and unwilling to accept the status quo. This is for her," said Markey.

"Asal was a talented and beloved member of my team. When faced with a tough cancer diagnosis, she didn't give up her commitment to service-she expanded it," said Carson. "Our bill honors Asal's legacy by continuing her important work to promote cancer awareness and research. Cancer diagnoses are rising for young adults, and we need to make sure America meets young adults' unique needs. Our bill is for Asal, and it's for all cancer patients-and their loved ones-who remain hopeful. With our bill, we are closer to better patient outcomes and a cure for this terrible disease."

"The rise in colorectal cancer deaths and overall cancer incidence among young adults is one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time. The proposed legislation takes the necessary steps to address this crisis through education, public awareness, and research-exactly the kind of bold action Asal advocated for before colorectal cancer cut her life short. This bill is a continuation of the vision we shared, and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is fully committed to seeing it signed into law in honor of all those lost too soon," said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

Under the Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be required within 18 months to deliver a national strategy encompassing:

• An education campaign for the public and health care providers on symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options;
• A comprehensive research agenda;
• Recommendations to improve screening access, reduce insurance barriers, accelerate diagnostic tools, and support innovative treatments;
• A plan to establish a National Centers of Excellence for Young Adult Cancers program within the National Cancer Institute; and
• An online federal clearinghouse for patients, caregivers, and health care providers to ensure easy access to resources on young adult cancers and ongoing clinical trials.

The legislation also establishes a Federal Coordinating Committee on Young Adult Cancers, bringing together more than 20 federal agencies and departments - from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Veterans Affairs, alongside patient advocates and researchers - to oversee strategy implementation and routinely report progress to Congress.

The Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act is endorsed by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the LUNGevity Foundation, American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, Colon Cancer Coalition, Stupid Cancer, Cancer Nation, Cancer Support Community, TargetCancer Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Kids v Cancer, Fight Colorectal Cancer, Friends of Cancer Research, One Cancer Place, Young Survival Coalition, Gloria Borges WunderGlo Foundation, Raymond Foundation, GI Cancers Alliance, Cheeky Charity, ZERO Prostate Cancer, CancerCare, Global Colon Cancer Association, PALTOWN Development Foundation/COLONTOWN, For the Breast of Us, Histiocytosis Association, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, Lymphoma Research Foundation, MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Alliance, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Jacqueline Rush Foundation, and Colon Cancer Stars.

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