In many GOP primary debates on many topics, not once have I heard a serious discussion of the No. 1 health-related killer in the world: cancer.
One-half of American men and one-third of American women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, severely impacting our national security, our economy and our people, who must endure the pain cancer of watching loved ones suffer and die. It's time we talk about this. It's time we get answers from candidates asking for our vote in 2012.
We have a series of presidential primary debates coming up, so we need to contact debate moderators and reporters to encourage them to ask a very important question that must be asked, discussed and debated:
As President of the United States, how would you use the bully pulpit to reduce the number of annual cancer deaths, and what policies would you propose to put us on course to eradicate this dreaded disease?
Most people in this country know someone who is battling or has battled cancer. I'm battling it myself -- I was diagnosed at age 35 with prostate cancer -- and sadly I know others who have recently succumbed. Gone too soon.
Indeed, the 40-year "war on cancer," begun with 1971's National Cancer Act, has been an abject failure.
Why hasn't this vital topic been covered in the debates? Why aren't solutions to ending cancer being debated? I want to hear candidates discuss policy and, perhaps more importantly, how they'd use the bully pulpit to encourage preventative dietary and lifestyle habits known to aid in the prevention of cancers, propose ideas for raising awareness of earlier screenings, suggest quarterly symposiums of the world's brightest and best researchers, doctors and scientists, and discuss known causes of cancer and its economic impact and raise solutions.
Many TV talking heads and radio talk show hosts say government needs to stay out of our lives, but when you are the president of the United States, you have a platform. Every utterance, every move is captured and analyzed. You can spur discussions and put a magnifying glass on underreported issues that deserve more attention. Americans deserve to know how 2012 presidential candidates will use such influence to make a difference in the war on cancer.
1. It's in the interest of our national security
2. It lowers health care costs for all
3. It encourages citizens to live to their fullest potential
Here are the facts, from 2011:
- About 1,596,670 Americans have been newly diagnosed with cancer
571,950 Americans died of cancer in 2011 -- more than 1,500 people a day. Those are 571,950 of our mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, neighbors, coworkers and fellow Americans. About one-third of the 571,950 cancer deaths in 2011 were related to obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition, and thus could have been prevented.The financial costs of cancer are high for both individual sufferers and for America. The National Institutes of Health estimate the 2010 overall annual costs of cancer were as follows:
- Total cost: $263.8 billion
Direct medical costs (total of all health expenditures): $102.8 billion Indirect morbidity costs (cost of lost productivity due to illness): $20.9 billion Indirect mortality costs (cost of lost productivity due to premature death): $140.1 billionWorldwide: In 2008, cancer accounted for nearly $1 trillion in economic losses from premature death and disability.
Using the bully pulpit is not forcing people or private business to adopt new habits or practices. Rather, I'd argue, it's taking advantage of the presidential office to provide necessary leadership for the common good. The president of the United States encouraging Americans to adopt healthier dietary and lifestyle habits is not forcing anyone to do anything.
It's not popular to tell an overweight and ailing nation that many of our own actions have made us the highest health care-spending nation on the planet. We don't want to alienate voters! However we have serious issues with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke -- all often preventable through diet and lifestyle.
And believe it or not, our diminishing health and failing war on cancer are national security issues. America always has led -- been a beacon of hope -- and as such, we must take the lead in the fight to end cancer.
We can do it, but it takes bold leadership. It requires the use of the bully pulpit to encourage and promote radical dietary and lifestyle changes which world renowned experts and organizations say can reduce cancer deaths.
"We need to recommit to the anti-cancer effort,'' says Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society.
But that takes leadership.
Now it's time to hear from the candidates.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.