Early Detection for Prostate Cancer

Today, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representatives Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) with Representatives Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Troy Carter (D-LA) as cosponsors.

Bipartisan legislation that would remove financial barriers to prostate cancer screening was introduced today in the U.S. Senate. Sponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act would waive cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, for prostate cancer screening tests for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, including Black men and those with a family history of the disease.

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law: “As anybody touched by the disease can tell you, cancer demands a high price. Physically, emotionally and financially, it is a draining disease where the costs can—very quickly—feel insurmountable. This is the case for patients across the cancer continuum. New Jerseyans are looking for state leaders to intervene and prevent the costs of care from trending upward and potentially trapping them in a lifetime of medical debt. Cancer patients and survivors throughout the state were heartened to hear Governor Murphy isolate affordability as a priority in his State of the State address. In the coming year, ACS CAN urges lawmakers to focus their efforts on three areas to alleviate the financial burden of disease, starting with preventing illness for a group of New Jerseyans at heightened risk of cancer: Atlantic City casino workers.

Two years after Ocean City local Jeanmarie Mason’s breast cancer returned and spread to her bones, her daughter Julie Groob also experienced a recurrence of her cervical cancer, bringing the two closer together than ever and uniting them in the fight against cancer. As volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Jeanmarie and Julie were among key voices in securing a medical debt relief victory in 2024. The pair are approaching the legislative session in 2025 eager to share their stories and advance critical proposals to limit the burden of disease across the cancer continuum.