Survivors, patients share cancer stories, support for bills with state lawmakers

SALT LAKE CITY – Dozens of volunteers filled the Capitol Rotunda on Cancer Action Day to advocate for policies they believe will end cancer. Among them were cancer survivors, current patients and caregivers. They met with state legislators to talk about how cancer impacts them and their loved ones – something many can relate to. Annalee Foster, a volunteer, said her sister had brain cancer and beat it. Her brother was diagnosed with a different form. "He passed after a six-year battle with that," Foster said. It's because of her experiences that she came to the State Capitol for Cancer Action Day."If there's something that we can do to prevent it, if there's something we can do to make it easier for people in their own battles, then that's just kind of what we've got to do," Foster said. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network hosts the annual event. According to the organization, more than 14,000 Utahns will be diagnosed with cancer this year. That number is up from last year. The volunteers KSL spoke to said they want lawmakers to understand which bills will help those fighting the disease. [gallery ids="738290,738292,738287,738288,738289"] Brook Carlisle, a representative from the organization, said she was disappointed to learn the bill they were supporting died in the committee. "What it would have done is eliminated cost sharing for women who have an abnormal mammogram and then need a follow-up screening," Carlisle said. "If they had an abnormal mammogram, and maybe then needed an ultrasound or an MRI, right now with your health insurance you can pay for that follow-up. This bill would have eliminated that follow-up cost for patients."Carlisle said that cancer is being detected early, and that "cancer is also being diagnosed a lot in younger individuals, and we don't know why." Carlisle said although the bill was unsuccessful, they're optimistic that other legislation benefitting their cause will go through this session. "The session is not over yet," Carlisle said. "So there's still time."

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