FACT: The federal government is the nation's largest funder of cancer research.

FACT: Insurance companies begin covering many cancer screenings - like mammogram, colonoscopies and PSA tests - because the American Cancer Society helps get laws passed requiring them to do so.

FACT: More than a dozen states and thousands of communities are now smoke-free as a result of advocacy.

These are just a few reasons why cancer is not just a medical issue, it is a political issue as well. From the local city council to the U.S. Congress, your American Cancer Society is engaged with elected and appointed officials to ensure that cancer remains a top local, state and national priority. Through advocacy, together we can be successful in eliminating suffering and death due to cancer.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network   (ACS CAN) is the non-profit, non-partisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society. ACS CAN is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major public health problem through voter education and issue campaigns aimed at influencing candidates and lawmakers to support laws and policies that will help people fight cancer.  Tips for Becoming an Effective Cancer Advocate Passing legislation that supports our cancer issues is a challenging process that requires active participation by our volunteers. There are many ways for a volunteer to be an effective cancer advocate.

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