On this journey, you are never alone.
In February 2022, the Biden Administration announced that it was reigniting the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to reduce cancer mortality rates by 50% within the next 25 years. Moonshot was originally initiated in 2016 when Biden was Vice President, shortly after the passing of his eldest son, Beau, who succumbed to brain cancer. Five years ago, with the bipartisan passage and enactment of the 21st Century Cures Act, Congress invested $1.8 billion, providing seven years of new funding for cancer research in many areas including studies on cancer disparities, new clinical trial networks to drive drug discovery, and innovative projects examining childhood cancer.
On the White House website, it shows that:
Over the first 20 years of this century, the age-adjusted death rate from cancer has fallen by about 25 percent, which means more people are surviving cancer and living longer after being diagnosed with cancer. That was enabled by progress on multiple fronts.
- Science brought us treatments that target specific mutations in many types of cancer –for example, in certain types of lung cancer, leukemia, and skin cancers.
- It has also provided therapies that use our immune system to detect and kill cancer cells and these immunotherapies are making a big difference in certain skin cancers, blood cancers, and others.
- We also have cancer vaccines – like the HPV vaccine –which prevents the cause of up to seven kinds of cancer.
- We developed tools, like low-dose CT scans and refined use of colonoscopies, which help us detect lung cancer and colorectal cancers early when there are better treatment options.
- Starting in the early 1990s, we also made progress against tobacco use through targeted public health education campaigns as well as new, more effective approaches to smoking cessation. We have seen a 50 percent decrease in adult long-term cigarette smoking and a 68 percent drop in smoking rates among youth.
It further explains that it is looking forward to:
- To diagnose cancer sooner — Today, we know cancer as a disease we often diagnose too late. We must increase access to existing ways to screen for cancer, and support patients through the process of diagnosis. We can also greatly expand the cancers we can screen for. Five years ago, detecting many cancers at once through blood tests was a dream. Now new technologies and rigorous clinical trials could put this within our reach. Detecting and diagnosing cancers earlier means there may be more effective treatment options.
- To prevent cancer — Today, we know cancer as a disease we have few good ways to prevent. But now, scientists are asking if mRNA technology, used in the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to teach your body to fight off the virus, could be used to stop cancer cells when they first appear. And we know we can address environmental exposures to cancer, including by cleaning up polluted sites and delivering clean water to American homes, for example, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- To address inequities — Today, we know cancer as a disease for which there are stark inequities in access to cancer screening, diagnostics and treatment across race, gender, region, and resources. We can ensure that every community in America – rural, urban, Tribal, and everywhere else – has access to cutting-edge cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical trials.
- To target the right treatments to the right patients — Today, we know cancer as a disease for which we understand too little about why treatments work for some patients, but not for others. We are learning more about how to use information about genetics, immune responses, and other factors to tell which combinations of treatments are likely to work best in an individual patient.
- To speed progress against the most deadly and rare cancers, including childhood cancers — Today, we know cancer as a disease for which we lack good strategies for developing treatments against many of the more than 200 distinct types. We can invest in a robust pipeline for new treatments, and the COVID-19 pandemic response has demonstrated we can accelerate clinical trials without compromising safety and effectiveness.
- To support patients, caregivers, and survivors — Today, we know cancer as a disease in which we do not do enough to help people and families navigate cancer and its aftermath. We can help people overcome the medical, financial, and emotional burdens that cancer brings by providing support to navigate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
- To learn from all patients — Today, we know cancer as a disease in which we don’t learn from the experiences of most patients. We can turn our cancer care system into a learning system. When asked, most people with cancer are glad to make their data available for research to help future patients, if it can be done easily while respecting their privacy. Additionally, the diverse personal experiences of patients and their families make their input essential in developing approaches to end cancer as we know it.
On Friday, March 10th the White House Cancer Moonshot will come together with a powerful alliance of individuals determined to beat colorectal cancer. Patients, survivors and advocates from all backgrounds are joining forces in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; united by their shared mission to bring down the impact this deadly disease has on our communities. Private sector organisations, foundations as well as medical professionals also join them in putting an end to this too common diagnosis.
At this forum, participants will discuss advancements towards the President and First Lady’s mission of reducing cancer mortality by 50 percent within 25 years. Administration representatives will further explain investments listed in the FY 2024 budget supporting these initiatives. Additionally, speakers representing patients and caregivers affected by cancer offer their personal experiences related to understanding treatment options along with improving patient experience overall.
What do you think about the White House Cancer Moonshot Initiative? What can be done to better support cancer families? What has been your family’s experience with cancer? How do you think the Moonshot Initiative will help cancer patients and their families? What are your thoughts on the direction that cancer research is headed?
