Leading Cancer Organizations Express Profound Concern Over Proposed Elimination of CDC's Cancer Prevention Division May 2, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact:Stephanie S. JohnsonZERO Prostate Cancerstephjohnson@zerocancer.org | media@zerocancer.org(202) 998-2507 Zehra Mehdi-BarlasSusan G. Komenpress@komen.org Elizabeth JordanFight Colorectal Cancermedia@fightcrc.org(636) 544-7113 Amanita Duga-CarrollOvarian Cancer Research AllianceADCStrategicComms@gmail.com(917) 597-7880 James MerrickMelanoma Research Foundationmedia@melanoma.org(202) 579-3450 Kyra MeisterPrevent Cancer FoundationKyra.Meister@preventcancer.org(703) 836-1746 On behalf of the millions of Americans living with cancer and at risk for being diagnosed, as well as health care providers, researchers, advocates, and their communities, we express our profound disappointment and grave concern regarding the proposed elimination of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) in the President's FY2026 discretionary funding request.Cancer remains one of our nation's most significant public health challenges, with nearly two million Americans diagnosed annually and over 600,000 lives lost each year. The United States already faces one of the highest age-standardized cancer incidence rates globally. The proposed elimination of the DCPC as part of the National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion would severely undermine our national capacity to address this critical chronic disease burden at a time when we should be strengthening, not dismantling, our cancer prevention infrastructure. The DCPC's work is fundamental to:Understanding and reducing cancer rates;Implementing evidence-based prevention strategies;Supporting early detection programs that save lives;Providing free and low-cost cancer screenings;Educating patients and healthcare providers about cancer risks; andImproving cancer outcomes for all Americans. This proposed cut directly contradicts the Administration's stated health priorities and would represent a devastating setback in our collective fight against cancer. The elimination of this division would leave critical gaps in our public health infrastructure that cannot be readily filled by other entities. State health departments and other organizations play a crucial role in the collection of data and in supplementing the work of the DCPC, but the federal government creates the infrastructure that encourages efficiency, data exchange, and effective collaboration; the CDC’s cancer efforts showcase our federated model of government at its best. We strongly urge Secretary Kennedy, Director Vought, and Congress to reject this proposal and instead strengthen our national commitment to cancer prevention and control. The health of millions of Americans depends on maintaining and enhancing these vital programs. Sincerely, Fight Colorectal Cancer Melanoma Research Foundation Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Prevent Cancer Foundation Susan G. Komen ZERO Prostate Cancer About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org More for Press & Media Press Releases Press Releases Explore our newsroom for press releases and official statements about ZERO's latest updates, achievements, and partnerships. Press & Media Inquiries Press & Media Inquiries See how to contact ZERO's media contacts for press inquiries, logo and brand guidelines, and our recent press releases. Media Kits Media Kits Find essential tools to enhance your storytelling and coverage about ZERO. About Prostate Cancer Access to Healthcare Press Release More for you
Leading Cancer Organizations Express Profound Concern Over Proposed Elimination of CDC's Cancer Prevention Division May 2, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact:Stephanie S. JohnsonZERO Prostate Cancerstephjohnson@zerocancer.org | media@zerocancer.org(202) 998-2507
Zehra Mehdi-BarlasSusan G. Komenpress@komen.org Elizabeth JordanFight Colorectal Cancermedia@fightcrc.org(636) 544-7113 Amanita Duga-CarrollOvarian Cancer Research AllianceADCStrategicComms@gmail.com(917) 597-7880 James MerrickMelanoma Research Foundationmedia@melanoma.org(202) 579-3450 Kyra MeisterPrevent Cancer FoundationKyra.Meister@preventcancer.org(703) 836-1746 On behalf of the millions of Americans living with cancer and at risk for being diagnosed, as well as health care providers, researchers, advocates, and their communities, we express our profound disappointment and grave concern regarding the proposed elimination of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) in the President's FY2026 discretionary funding request.Cancer remains one of our nation's most significant public health challenges, with nearly two million Americans diagnosed annually and over 600,000 lives lost each year. The United States already faces one of the highest age-standardized cancer incidence rates globally. The proposed elimination of the DCPC as part of the National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion would severely undermine our national capacity to address this critical chronic disease burden at a time when we should be strengthening, not dismantling, our cancer prevention infrastructure. The DCPC's work is fundamental to:Understanding and reducing cancer rates;Implementing evidence-based prevention strategies;Supporting early detection programs that save lives;Providing free and low-cost cancer screenings;Educating patients and healthcare providers about cancer risks; andImproving cancer outcomes for all Americans. This proposed cut directly contradicts the Administration's stated health priorities and would represent a devastating setback in our collective fight against cancer. The elimination of this division would leave critical gaps in our public health infrastructure that cannot be readily filled by other entities. State health departments and other organizations play a crucial role in the collection of data and in supplementing the work of the DCPC, but the federal government creates the infrastructure that encourages efficiency, data exchange, and effective collaboration; the CDC’s cancer efforts showcase our federated model of government at its best. We strongly urge Secretary Kennedy, Director Vought, and Congress to reject this proposal and instead strengthen our national commitment to cancer prevention and control. The health of millions of Americans depends on maintaining and enhancing these vital programs. Sincerely, Fight Colorectal Cancer Melanoma Research Foundation Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Prevent Cancer Foundation Susan G. Komen ZERO Prostate Cancer
About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org
More for Press & Media Press Releases Press Releases Explore our newsroom for press releases and official statements about ZERO's latest updates, achievements, and partnerships. Press & Media Inquiries Press & Media Inquiries See how to contact ZERO's media contacts for press inquiries, logo and brand guidelines, and our recent press releases. Media Kits Media Kits Find essential tools to enhance your storytelling and coverage about ZERO.
