Alex Wiles
Sr. Regional Media Advocacy Manager
Las Vegas, NV
Arizona Cancer Advocates Rally Lawmakers to Support Access to Care, Tobacco Control at ‘Cancer Action Day’
February 7, 2025
Volunteer advocates from across Arizona, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with lawmakers and urged them to support policies that increase access to quality health care and prevent tobacco use.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, more than 42,000 Arizona residents will be newly diagnosed with cancer. More than 14,000 residents are expected to die from the disease, marking an increase from 2024. While data shows the cancer mortality rate nationwide continues to decline, alarming inequities in rates persist, most notably among Native American and Black people. Furthermore, recent data indicates cancer is the second-leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino people. Compared with non-Hispanic White people, Hispanic men and women are less likely to be diagnosed with the most common cancers (lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate), but more likely to develop cancer in the liver, stomach, and cervix.
“Access to quality health care and enacting proven tobacco control policies are two ways we can lessen the burden of this disease,” said Brian Hummell, ACS CAN Arizona government relations director. “We are thankful to those who met with and listened to our volunteer advocates as they shared their stories today. We hope their stories move lawmakers to join us in trying to end cancer as we know it for all Arizonans.”
During meetings, advocates asked lawmakers to support several initiatives during the 2025 legislative session. Among those is maintaining funding of more than $1.3 million for the Arizona Well Woman HealthCheck program, the state breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for limited-income, uninsured, and underinsured women.
“As a breast cancer survivor, I know that early detection saves lives,” said Maria Martinez, Tucson resident and ACS CAN volunteer. “I hope lawmakers realize the impact programs like Well Woman HealthCheck have for our residents and will support Governor Hobbs’ proposal of maintaining funding. Our leaders play a vital role in ensuring this program will continue for years to come.”
Volunteers also urged select lawmakers to hold a hearing for HB 2561 in the House Health and Human Services Committee. If enacted, the bill would provide no-cost follow-up imaging for patients who receive an abnormal result on their initial breast cancer screening. While speaking to volunteers ahead of meetings, Rep. Selina Bliss, chair of the committee, revealed members plan to hold a hearing on the bill soon.
‘Cancer Action Day’ coincided with ‘National Cancer Prevention Month’, which is observed annually during February.
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