Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the month of May as National Cancer Research Month.

As leaders of the bipartisan Senate Cancer Coalition, Senators Feinstein and Hutchison are honoring the contributions made by scientists and clinicians across the United States who are dedicated to finding a cure for all cancers, and supporting continued efforts to make cancer research a priority.

“Thanks to the dedicated physicians and scientists around the country, countless promising cancer research projects are now underway,” Senator Feinstein said. “National Cancer Research Month recognizes those contributions that are enhancing the standard of care today and will save the lives of patients tomorrow.”

In the past 35 years, the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has improved to more than 65 percent.  For childhood cancers it has increased to 80 percent.  Yet cancer remains a pressing public health concern: more than 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and over 560,000 individuals will succumb to the disease.

“Our nation's best and brightest researchers are constantly seeking new ways to eliminate cancer and improve treatments options for those who have it today,” Senator Hutchison said.  “It is fitting for us to recognize their work to advance basic and clinical research, and I am confident we’ll continue to see the cancer diagnosis rate decline substantially while the survival rate increases because of their tireless efforts.”

In the 40 years since the National Cancer Act was signed into law, tremendous progress has been made in science, clinical research, and therapeutic development.  This progress has led to advances in cancer prevention detection, clinical cancer management, and most importantly, has saved countless lives.  However, some cancers continue to have poor survival rates, demonstrating there is much more work to be done.

The resolution today was introduced along with Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), and John Tester (D-Mont.).

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