Expert Patient Jeannette Vagnozzi shares a broad range of cancer-related questions for Lance Armstrong and the Presidential candidates participating in the Livestrong Presidential Cancer Forum on August 27 and 28.
1) Federal Cancer Research Funding Cuts
For the first time in thirty years, federal funding for cancer research and cancer related programs was cut. How do you plan to restore the funding that was unfunded this year as well as expand it in future years?
2) Bigger Threat: Terrorism or Cancer?
According to www.reason.com, Americans have a lifetime risk of being attacked by a terrorist of 1 in 1300. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 2 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The average American has a much greater risk of being diagnosed with cancer than being attacked by a terrorist. Why is there such a great disparity in funding?
3) Young Breast Cancer Survivors
Imagine if you had a daughter who was in her 20's or 30's and was diagnosed with breast cancer. She detects it early and her prognosis is good, but she must undergo the standard treatment options of surgery, chemo, and even radiation. Now she finds herself infertile due to treatment. She can no longer conceive her child, your grandchild. What would you want for your daughter? What would you hope is available to her or provided for her so that she can have a long, healthy life ahead of her?
4) Federal Healthcare Assistance for Lifetime Care After Cancer
There are 10,000,000 cancer survivors in America; 1,000,000 were diagnosed under age 40 (www.ImTooYoungForThis.org). Survivorship comes with a price that may include fertility issues, debilitating lasting side effects from treatment, health insurance issues, and the need for continual screening. What type of federal healthcare assistance or reform can help provide for quality lifetime care after a cancer diagnosis?
5) Environmental Causes of Cancer
There appears to be a nexus between cancer and environmental causes. If left unchecked, cancer rates will not see significant decreases. Researching environmental causes is a monumental task that needs federal support. How do you plan to support such research?
6) Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Survival Rates
The disparity in survival rates of breast cancer among African Americans and other women of color vs. the rest of the population continue to show a significant disparity, even with greater accessibility to early detection screening. What do we have to do to the healthcare system to improve survival rates for all women, regardless of race?
7) Nationalized Healthcare in the United States
The United States spends far more on health care than Canada, i.e., approximately 15% of its gross domestic product versus about 10% in Canada. In 2003, Americans spent an estimated US$5,635 per capita on health care, while Canadians spent US$3,003. Available studies suggest that health outcomes may be superior in patients cared for in Canada versus the United States. Again it seems our healthcare system is very flawed if we are spending more and not doing any better. This suggests that private healthcare vs. national healthcare is not the better solution. What are the chances we will ever nationalized healthcare in the United States?
