The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) joined more than 60 cancer patient and provider organizations in signing onto a coalition letter led by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) directed to Secretary Kennedy in support of protecting the scientific integrity and evidence-based work of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
View the letter in it's entirety at this
LINK.
View a press release from ACS CAN at this
LINK.
The USPSTF plays a critical role in cancer prevention and early detection by developing evidence-based recommendations for preventive services, including screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers, as well as tobacco cessation interventions. Under the Affordable Care Act, USPSTF recommendations help determine which preventive services private health insurance plans must cover without cost-sharing, supporting patient access to lifesaving care.
The coalition letter follows recent changes to USPSTF leadership that have raised concerns across the cancer and medical communities regarding the continuity and scientific rigor of the Task Force’s work. Organizations signing onto the letter emphasized the importance of maintaining an independent, evidence-based process to ensure patients and providers continue to have access to trusted preventive care recommendations.
In the letter, organizations highlighted that more than 2 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year and stressed that access to proven preventive services and early detection tools is essential to reducing the burden of cancer and improving patient outcomes.
SITC remains committed to advancing evidence-based cancer care and policies that improve prevention, early detection and access to care for patients impacted by cancer.