Newswise — A research scientist at the Northern California Cancer Center, a leading, independent, population-based research organization, is urging Congress to "CYB" " Cover Your Butt, literally, by passing several pieces of legislation designed to provide free colorectal cancer screenings for at-risk populations. As part of the campaign, Wednesday, March 19 is being designated as "Congressional Butt-In Day."
"We strongly support the passage of three bills in Congress to provide colorectal cancer screening services to everyone in the United States," said Bang Hai Nguyen, Dr. P.H, of the Northern California Cancer Center. "When community members call our bilingual English and Vietnamese colorectal cancer screening hotline to ask where they can get colorectal cancer screening tests for free and/or based on their ability to pay, we can do very little except refer them to county indigent care services."
The three bills in question -- (H.R. 1738) Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act of 2007; (H.R. 1926) Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2007; and (H.R. 3060) Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Coverage Act of 2007 -- are currently pending in the 110th Congress. If passed, the bills would provide coverage to nearly everyone in the United States that should be screened for colorectal cancer including the poor, the underserved, the elderly, and those with private insurance.
According to Dr. Nguyen, those who lack health insurance or who receive county indigent care, are significantly less likely to have had colorectal cancer screenings than those who are insured. Without screening, colorectal cancers or pre-cancer growths are not detected in the critical time period before the cancer spreads and becomes more deadly.
People are asked to call (866) 615-3375 on Wednesday, March 19 anytime from 9am to 5:30pm EDT. Callers will be prompted to enter their zip code and be directly connected to the offices of their Senators and Representative. At that time, Dr. Nguyen offers a simple script: "I urge my senator/representative to support colorectal cancer legislation and COVER MY BUTT!"
"The more phone calls the offices receive, the better chance these bills have of getting passed," says Dr. Nguyen who has become a passionate advocate for those facing colorectal cancers. "Please urge your friends and family to join you in the Congressional Butt-In on Wednesday, March 19 and help save someone's butt."
The Northern California Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in carrying out activities to improve the education, training and skills of health professionals in the detection and prevention of cancer and in providing direct support to minority and underserved populations in gaining access to cancer control information, resources and screening.
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