U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced legislation on July 20 to permanently authorize and expand the Department of Veterans Affairs Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate (POPCaP).
The POPCaP Authorization Act aims to strengthen the VA’s current precision oncology program by establishing seven additional centers of excellence at VA medical centers focused on prostate cancer care. The legislation also calls for a performance review process to maintain accountability and high performance in these centers.
“There must be adequate research, resources, and outreach available to veterans battling cancer,” said Senator Moran. “This bill will make certain that veterans with prostate cancer in rural America receive the same cutting-edge therapies as a veteran living next to a major urban research hospital and have all the support they need, and deserve, to recover.”
Prostate cancer is currently the most common cancer diagnosis among veterans. Veterans are twice as likely as civilians to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. There are 21 existing POPCaP/Genitourinary Centers of Excellence within VA facilities that provide advanced care, genetic testing, and clinical trials.
Courtney Bugler, President and CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer, said: “The POPCaP Authorization Act represents a pivotal moment in the fight against prostate cancer. Our veterans face disproportionate risk due to service-related exposures, and African American veterans bear an unconscionable burden with twice the diagnosis rate and twice the mortality. We commend Senator Moran for his leadership on this critical legislation. The VA’s integrated healthcare system offers an unparalleled opportunity to advance precision oncology research while delivering quality care to those who’ve served our nation. Congress must now move swiftly to pass this bill and ensure its funding. Our veterans have earned this investment, and the breakthroughs generated through POPCaP will benefit all American men facing this disease.”
Mark Edney, Chair of the American Urological Association Public Policy Council, said: “Prostate cancer continues to be the most common cancer among Veterans, making access to cutting-edge, personalized care critically important…Our Veterans deserve dedicated programs that help them access the highest quality cancer care there is, and that’s why this program needs protection. The American Urological Association (AUA) is proud to support this legislation.” The Prostate Cancer Foundation has also expressed support for this measure.
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee oversees benefits, health care programs—including those related to precision oncology—and collaborates with entities like the Department of Veterans Affairs throughout its jurisdiction across all states; it maintains offices in Washington D.C., contributes toward improving access for veterans transitioning into civilian life or seeking medical treatment such as that addressed by POPCaP initiatives, according to the official website.