Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and has touched nearly every life, either directly or indirectly. (2) Cancer is the cause of nearly 1 out of every 4 deaths in the United States, since 2000 totaling over 15 million American lives. (3) Efforts to increase awareness of cancer symptoms among patients and clinicians would lead to earlier detection and improvements in survival rates. (4) Scientific understanding and research lead to innovations in effective treatments, controls, and cures for cancer. (5) The National Cancer Institute has been a leader in finding medical breakthroughs for treatment and therapies for cancer patients. (6) Through substantial investment in cancer research, potentially even the tripling of necessary funding, the United States will be best able to address the mortality rates of cancer and the impacts on the patient population.