Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) that aims to help better understand the causes of pediatric cancer and to improve outcomes won unanimous approval in the House.
The Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act, H.R. 3381, would take steps to help identify and track childhood cancer, improve the quality of life for patients and identify opportunities to research new treatments.
“The passage of the STAR Act is a critical step in the right direction in the fight against childhood cancer,” McCaul, a cofounder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, said.
“It is the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever considered before this Congress. It would allow us to better understand the causes of pediatric cancer and the effects of treatment, provide doctors with resources necessary to help identify children who may be at risk, and improve collaboration among providers so doctors are better able to care for survivors,” McCaul added.
Additionally, the bill would explore ways to expand publicly accessible policies that provide hope to families coping with childhood cancer.
Speaking in support of the measure, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said nearly everyone’s life has been impacted by cancer in some way.
“The most heartbreaking situation of them all is when a young child is diagnosed with cancer – which, tragically, remains the leading cause of death in American children,” Upton said.
“These childhood cancer patients and their families deserve a stronger voice and more resources to help combat this deadly disease. That’s what this bipartisan legislation will do: Improve research, treatments and care for childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.”