AUSTIN, TX – Today, the Texas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 989 to increase access to biomarker testing, which can help determine the best treatment plan for each patient. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is sponsoring this significant policy change to ensure cancer patients have access to precision medicine.
Dubbed ‘the right treatment at the right time,’ precision medicine has played a critical role in improving cancer outcomes. For example, patients with certain lung cancer types who received biomarker testing and targeted therapy had a 31% reduction in mortality. But to determine if a patient will benefit from certain targeted therapies, doctors must test for specific biomarkers – such as gene mutations – found in blood, tissues, or other biospecimens that provide insight into their disease.
“ACS CAN thanks Sen. Joan Huffman and State Rep. Greg Bonnen for their leadership on biomarker testing legislation and asks Gov. Greg Abbott to sign this bill into law as soon as possible so it can bring the hope and promise of precision medicine to more Texans,” said James Gray, Texas government relations director for ACS CAN. “It’s time for us to make the future of modern medicine accessible to more Texans.”
For more information on precision medicine, cancer biomarkers, current barriers to biomarker testing, and ACS CAN’s policy recommendations, visit www.fightcancer.org/biomarkers.
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About ACS CAN:
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
