An update has been published on state legislation that is designed to decrease cancer occurrences. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
+ Regulatory
Amanda Rupp | Aug 21, 2016

Update released on state legislation to decrease cancer presence

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently released a progress report -- titled "How Do You Measure Up?" -- about state legislative activity that could help to decrease the incidence and mortality rates of cancer in the U.S.

The purpose of ACS is to help lawmakers and health experts connect with people who have been touched by cancer. With these connections, U.S. leaders can develop laws and policies to help cancer survivors, patients and their families.

The report focuses on policies that can either prevent cancer or improve its treatments. Several states are currently taking proactive measures to decrease pain and suffering while saving lives.

Focuses of the report include measuring various states on 10 important policy issues, such as protecting people from indoor tanning, prohibiting young people from using tobacco, improving cancer patient’s quality of life and guaranteeing people have access to lifesaving cancer screenings, among other issues. The report also highlights the best ways to avoid cancer: staying active and eating healthy.

Every state is featured in the report, showing both strengths and weaknesses. Although there is always room for improvement when it comes to preventing cancer and providing support to patients, survivors and their families, 3.9 percent of the graded states show a steady status, 68.6 percent show proactive measures and 27.5 percent are declining.

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