Fight cancer and address health care in the elections

Few problems in life are as pervasive as cancer. The disease is expected to kill an estimated 5,440 Nevadans this year alone. Change is needed and federal lawmakers must use their power. It is critical to ensure access to cancer prevention services, fund important cancer research, and ensure our access to appropriate and affordable health care.

As a two-time prostate cancer survivor and someone who lost his mother to ovarian cancer, I recognize the importance of the Nevada U.S. Senate race in advancing policies to support the fight against cancer.

Every day our elected officials make decisions that impact our ability to prevent and treat cancer. As the election approaches, my fellow volunteers at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and I continue to educate the public and candidates about cancer and seek candidates' positions on related issues.

ACS CAN recently conducted a survey of Nevada voters to find out what issues are important to them this election. More than eight in 10 voters said a candidate's position on access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage was important to them when deciding who to vote for. A majority of Nevada voters also do not believe the health care system meets the needs of most residents.

Respondents said the most common concern in our state is finding doctors who accept their health plan and the cost of their health insurance. Out-of-pocket health insurance costs, such as copays and deductibles, as well as the cost of monthly health insurance premiums also presented challenges.

Among Hispanic/Latino voters, the ability to find doctors who will accept their health insurance plan is currently the top health care concern. This problem is particularly problematic in efforts to detect and treat cancer. Approximately one in three Hispanic men and one in three Hispanic women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The disease is the second leading cause of death among Hispanics. Additionally, Hispanic/Latino people affected by cancer and their survivors face high costs and are more likely to be uninsured and to experience hardship compared to their white counterparts.

ACS CAN believes that everyone should have a fair and equitable opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their struggle because of their income, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or location. As a Hispanic/Latino voter and cancer survivor in Nevada, I understand this concern.

Comprehensive health insurance is an important factor in a cancer patient's access to health care and their health outcomes. It made all the difference in my cancer journey. I believe that all Nevadans deserve the same. Not having health insurance or being underinsured is detrimental to a cancer patient. People with a history of cancer who lack access to insurance or are underinsured have poorer health outcomes and face significant financial hardship.

Respondents also indicated that medical debt is widespread in our state. The majority report that they or an immediate family member currently have or have had medical debt. With inflation a top issue in Nevada and across the country, when considering medical debt, making ends meet becomes an even more difficult challenge.

These concerns are not just Democratic, Republican or Independent – they are the issues that Nevadans, including me, care about.

Whether it's Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen or Republican challenger Sam Brown, whoever wins the Senate race should heed the call of voters and, when it comes to affordability, bring cancer into the conversation.

We asked both candidates how they feel about policies that address such concerns and make cancer a thing of the past. Rosen has pledged her support by signing our Cancer Pledge and participating in a roundtable with ACS CAN and Mi Familia Vota. We made the same offer to Brown's campaign but received nothing in return.

The Cancer Promise describes what patients expect from candidates. It also challenges both to commit to solving every problem. Some of the questions we need to answer: Will candidates support legislation that ensures access to cancer prevention services? How actively will you support increasing research funding? What is their commitment to ensuring access to affordable, high-quality healthcare?

The winner of Nevada's Senate seat will have the chance to address these pressing issues for his constituents. We are pleased that Rosen took the opportunity to learn more about these issues by speaking to voters. I'm excited to see Brown do the same and sign the Cancer Pledge.

My fellow advocates and cancer survivors intend to hold the election winners, whoever they are, accountable for their commitment to the fight against cancer. I encourage everyone to join me by visiting cancervotes.org to check if you are registered to vote and to find your polling place. Cancer patients are counting on all of us this election season.

Alex Garza lives in Henderson. He is a two-time prostate cancer survivor and volunteers with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).