Wednesday letters: SC Legislature should support more cancer screenings

Early detection could prevent many of the projected 43,000 breast and cervical cancer deaths in this nation this year. S.C. lawmakers can play a vital role in fighting cancer by adequately funding programs that ensure access to screenings.

South Carolina has made progress over the past few years in increasing access to early detection programs. The Best Chance Network provides low-income, uninsured women with access to life-saving mammograms and Pap tests.

We appreciate funding that we have received in the past because lives have been saved. To continue the fight cancer, we ask lawmakers to protect current funding levels and possibly increase funding for these programs to ensure all eligible women have access.

I know my voice for cancer prevention can grow stronger with effective legislation and adequate funding for cancer-control programs. It is projected that cancer will kill 4,040 people in South Carolina this year. Policymakers must make our health a priority.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Volunteer

Lexington

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 7:13 PM.