Legislation Would Provide Funding for Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Reps. Albert Wynn (D-Md.) and Kay Granger (R-Texas) introduced legislation providing funding for colorectal cancer screenings, particularly for low income and uninsured individuals.

The "Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Act" would authorize more than $50 million for state and local health centers and agencies to fund screening and treatment programs.

Many colorectal cancer cases and deaths can be prevented with access to colorectal cancer screenings, according to the American Cancer Society. When colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent, it added.