U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) on April 20 joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues to propose a resolution officially recognizing April as Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month.
“In South Florida, we know that family is everything, it is the heartbeat of our community. But you cannot protect your family if you are blindsided by a diagnosis that came too late because you didn’t have access to a simple screening,” Rep. Salazar said. “This resolution isn’t just about healthcare policy; it’s about giving our families the fighting chance they deserve so they can live longer. We are drawing a line in the sand: no more excuses, no more barriers, and no more losing our loved ones to a preventable tragedy.”
The congresswoman cosponsored House Resolution (H.Res.) 1196, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, preventive care, and expanded access to life-saving screenings for all Americans.
Among the 12 other lawmakers who joined Rep. Salazar as an original cosponsor of H.Res. 1196 were Reps. Buchanan and Fitzpatrick, and U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Carol Miller (R-WV), Mike Carey (R-OH), and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
“For too long, our healthcare system has focused on treating illness after the fact instead of preventing it,” said Rep. Buchanan. “We must shift to prevention and early detection, giving patients more time, hope, and options. Catching cancer early saves lives and reduces costs.”
Specifically, the resolution calls for a renewed national commitment to expand education by increasing public awareness regarding cancer prevention and lifestyle risk factors; ensuring routine screenings and early detection tools are available to underserved communities; advancing new technologies, including multi-cancer early detection tests; and addressing cost, coverage gaps, and lack of awareness that prevent patients from seeking timely care.
“Prevention, early detection, and strong investment in research are not peripheral to this fight — they are central to it,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “This resolution reflects a bipartisan commitment to act earlier, widen access to timely screening, and ensure more Americans have the benefit of earlier intervention and better outcomes.”
The Prevent Cancer Foundation, ZERO Prostate Cancer, Susan G. Komen, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center support the resolution.