WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House passed The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. It contains no increases for federal cancer research or prevention funding and significant cuts to Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), in which cancer is the largest recipient of funds. The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“In 2025, over 2 million people in America will be diagnosed with cancer. That’s roughly 5,590 diagnoses each day. With advancements in treatment and early detection largely reliant on sustained research and prevention efforts, any reduction in federal support could significantly impede progress and jeopardize the lives of millions facing this devastating disease.
“Federal funding has played a role in advancing every major breakthrough in cancer research over the last 50 years. As a result, there are more than 18 million cancer survivors today and death rates have continued to decline with 4.5 million fewer deaths since 1991. We can’t afford to lose this momentum now.
“Additionally, a 57% reduction in CDMRP appropriation will most certainly risk vital advances in cancer research, halting much needed innovation. CDMRP is responsible for several clinical cancer advancements, especially for prostate cancer, the most diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death for men in the United States.
“Cancer patients and their families rely on Congress to maintain the critical role of government in the cancer fight, because robust funding is not just an investment in science but a commitment to patient’s lives. ACS CAN calls on Congress to reinvest in the fight against cancer by prioritizing investments in research and prevention that will end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”