Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Statement on World Cancer Day
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a lung cancer survivor, issued the following statement for World Cancer Day:
“A little over five years ago, I went to the doctor’s office for a check-up because I had a persistent cough. I thought I had bronchitis. I didn’t. The doctor found a ‘spot’ on one of my lungs, and then referred me to a specialist for further examination. The specialist determined that the spot was lung cancer.
“If it wasn’t caught early, I wouldn’t be here today to remind you, in honor of World Cancer Day, of the importance of early detection and preventative care. Too often are too many cancers are caught too late. Roughly half of all cancers aren’t caught until they are at an advanced stage, but for those that we catch early, 90% of patients are alive five years later. New developments in medicine allow doctors to identify cancer earlier and earlier, but we need to be vigilant.
“We need to raise awareness so patients know what to ask for, and we need to expand access so that they’re not afraid to do so. We need to ensure insurance companies cover the costs of preventative procedures, early detection tests, and routine screenings, because it’s not just safer, but also more affordable to catch it early than treat it late.
“Early detection saved my life. Every day I’ve lived since then has been a gift from God. All I want is to pay that gift forward.”