PanCAN Founding CEO Testifies Before Congress

On May 2, 2002, PanCAN's founding CEO, Paula Kim, testified before Congress to urge increased support for scientific advancements to diagnose, treat and cure pancreatic cancer. Ms. Kim presented testimony before the House of Representatives' Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (often referred to as the "Labor/HHS") Subcommittee, which is under the leadership of Chairman Ralph Regula (R-Ohio). The Labor/HHS Subcommittee provides Federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) -- as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other important agencies that conduct cancer research programs and operate educational and awareness programs.

PanCAN's testimony urged the Chairman and the Members of the Subcommittee to take the following actions:

Implement National Cancer Institute (NCI)'s Pancreatic Cancer Progress Review Group (PRG):

This PRG report identified key steps to be taken to increase support for this disease. PanCAN wholeheartedly endorses the steps outlined by the PRG report, and now it is essential that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) complete its planned implementation strategy phase of the PRG and provide adequate funding and leadership to implement the strategy derived from the PRG's recommendations.

Increase the Number of Pancreatic Cancer Researchers:

The pool of investigators with expertise in pancreatic cancer is very small, in fact, there are less than 10 principal investigators who have a primary focus on pancreatic cancer. We must assemble a critical mass of both new and established researchers that is deep and diverse in talent and expertise. PanCAN urges the NCI and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to take specific steps and develop programs that will provide incentives for doctors and PhDs to pursue careers focused on the pancreas and pancreatic cancer.

Increase the Number of Pancreatic Cancer SPOREs:

Specialized Program Of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant programs were created by the NCI in 1992 to bring to clinical care settings novel ideas that have the potential to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, improve survival, and to improve the quality of life. PanCAN urges the NCI to fund no less than five SPOREs by FY 2004, with additional grants in the successive funding periods.

Maintain the Increased Payline for Pancreatic Cancer Research:

For Fiscal Year 2002, the NCI increased the payline for 100% relevant pancreatic cancer research by 50% above the overall payline for NCI research grants. PanCAN urges the NCI to continue to fund 100% relevant pancreatic cancer grants at a level 50% above the payline for all grant mechanisms in FY 2003.

Develop More Timely Methods to Track Patients:

Because patients with Pancreatic Cancer die quickly, PanCAN urges Federal agencies to develop, test and implement new "ultra-rapid methods" for case ascertainment so that pancreatic cancer patients can be contacted very quickly after their diagnosis.

Expand Education and Awareness About Pancreatic Cancer:

PanCAN urges the CDC and the NCI to identify and coordinate the public health role in combating pancreatic cancer so that the agencies can provide the public with adequate information on understanding the known risk factors, talking to one's doctor about this disease, selecting appropriate symptom and pain management for pancreatic cancer, and obtaining quality end of life care for those with advanced stage terminal disease.

Earlier this year, PanCAN wrote a letter to Chairman Regula requesting an opportunity to present public witness testimony. Using a lottery system, the Subcommittee awarded PanCAN a slot to testify. Several hundred organizations annually request a slot to testify, and only 130 or so organizations were awarded a slot this year.

PanCAN's Fiscal Year 2003 Testimony to the House Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee.