Cancer CANdor Blog

Cancer is a ubiquitous foe, and it can be cruelly indiscriminate. However, there are things a person can do to reduce his or her risk of developing cancer and focusing on healthy eating and active living are among the best. Since March is National Nutrition Month, I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the important policies ACS CAN supports that help make it easier for children and adults to eat a healthy diet and keep their weight in check.

Great news last week out of Massachusetts where Governor Charlie Baker and the state legislature enacted new legislation to prevent youth under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning devices. ACS CAN staff and volunteers have been working hard to protect Massachusetts teens from the harms of indoor tanning and weŠ—'re hoping that this early legislative win in 2016 sets the tone for other states to do the same.

For Americans who do not use tobacco, diet, weight and physical activity level are the leading risk factors for cancer. There is also growing evidence that a healthy weight, good nutrition and regular physical activity improve health outcomes and quality of life for those undergoing cancer treatment, and reduce the risk of recurrence for cancer survivors. ACS CAN advocates for legislation and policies that promote healthy eating and active living. On Dec. 10, ACS CAN, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) hosted a policy seminar on nutrition and physical activity interventions for cancer survivors.

Today, weŠ—'re faced with a wide range of ways to support the fight against breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As the month comes to a close, however, we must remember that breast cancer doesnŠ—'t take a break. All of us must continue to work together to battle this deadly disease long after the pink displays disappear.

Today is the start of ACS CAN's signature annual event: our Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. We'll be welcoming more than 750 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all 50 states and nearly every congressional district to Washington, D.C. for three days of training, presentations, media opportunities and, of course, meetings with lawmakers.

According to a new edition of the ACS CAN report How Do You Measure Up? released today, most state legislatures are missing opportunities to enact laws and policies that could not only save lives, but also generate new revenue and long-term health care savings.

Low-income, underinsured and uninsured women who rely on FloridaŠ—'s breast and cervical screening and treatment program were very recently in danger of losing their safety net with nowhere to turn when they needed lifesaving screenings and care.

We're anxiously waiting for the New Hampshire governor to sign a bill that will save lives by reducing skin cancer incidence and mortality rates in her state.

The Affordable Care Act ensures that most women can receive mammograms at little or no cost starting at age 40, but there are still millions of low-income, uninsured women nationwide with no access to mammograms or other lifesaving cancer screenings.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell guest posts about Delaware's efforts to reduce the risk of skin cancer in the state.