U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, spoke on the House Floor Thursday to recognize World Pancreatic Cancer Day which was observed November 20.
Sewell called on her colleagues to pass H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection, MCED, Screening Coverage Act, to ensure access to cutting-edge cancer screenings for America’s seniors.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in observance of today, November 20, as World Pancreatic Cancer Day. It is a time to shine light on the devastating impact of this disease and dedicate ourselves to improving prevention, early detection, and treatment.
“Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and is on track to becoming the second by 2030. Over 67,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with pancreatic cancer.
“Like so many Americans, I know all too well the terrible impact of this disease. In 2021, I lost my dear mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, to pancreatic cancer. By the time we caught it, the cancer had already spread. She passed away just eight weeks after her diagnosis.
“In an effort to turn my pain into purpose, I have committed myself to doing everything I can to prevent other families from enduring such a painful loss.
“Along with my friend, Congressman Jodey Arrington, I am proud to be leading H.R. 842. In the 118th Congress, Congressman Arrington introduced our bill and surprised me by renaming it after my mother, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Act. Our bill would create a pathway for Medicare to cover multiple cancer early diagnosis tests. Medicare will cover that by making sure that once it is approved by the FDA, it immediately becomes available to Medicare patients.
“This is so important because the promise of screening for more than 40 cancers lies in such a simple blood test. If passed, it will give our seniors their best shot at catching cancer early and treating it before it spreads.
“Just two months ago, our bill passed unanimously out of the House Ways and Means Committee. It enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support, with 332 House co-sponsors and 67 Senate co-sponsors.
“Later today, I look forward to convening lawmakers, researchers, advocates, and families for a roundtable on the latest developments in prevention, early detection, and treatment.
“I want to thank the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the American Cancer Society, and all of the stakeholders—the more than 500 stakeholders—for all of their efforts.
“I am so grateful for the tireless work of our cancer advocates. Without them, this bill would not enjoy such broad bipartisan support.
“As we wear purple today in honor of World Pancreatic Cancer Day, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act.
“Let’s get this bill across the finish line and pave the way for a world without pancreatic cancer,” Sewell concluded.
Video of Sewell’s remarks made on the House Floor Thursday can be seen here.
