OLYMPIA, Wash. – Cancer patients, survivors their families and caregivers from throughout Washington gathered at the Capitol building Monday to ask legislators to support House Bill 1062, which would expand insurance coverage of biomarker testing, making sure as many state residents as possible have access to this technology.
Biomarker testing is about identifying the most effective treatment for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. It can open the door to precision treatments that can improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with many diseases and conditions. Similar legislation has passed in 20 states including California, Texas, Georgia and Arizona.
In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient. After a diagnosis, biomarker testing helps connect patients with the right treatment at the right time. This testing can sometimes rule out unnecessary or ineffective treatments, potentially saving costs and avoiding potentially life-altering side effects. It’s notable that biomarker testing is increasingly important to the treatment of conditions outside of the cancer space, like arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, organ and tissue transplant, and rare diseases. Research is happening in many other areas including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions, cardiology, and more.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers also urged lawmakers to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products. Tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Washington, and smoking is linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers. Each year more than 8,300 die from smoking-related disease in Washington alone.
“Big Tobacco invests nearly $85 million in our state each year to reach their next generation of customers – our kids,” ACS CAN Washington Government Relations Director Audrey Miller Garcia said. “They spend this money because it provides strong return for them in the form of addicting our youth and pouring millions back into their coffers. It needs to end and lawmakers can make a big difference if they act in this session. We hope they don’t miss this opportunity.”
The visit is part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual Cancer Action Day, an event that will bring around 60 people affected by cancer together to call on the Washington Legislature to make cancer a policy priority.
This year, more than 46,000 Washingtonians will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 13,800 will die from the disease. But those traveling to the Capitol are working with legislators to change that.