Regional lawmakers from across the Hudson Valley Friday morning discussed the importance of effectively preventing, treating, and eradicating cancer during a breakfast hosted by the American Cancer Society at the Kingston Holiday Inn.
The three topics of focus were the establishment of a Health Insurance Exchange, current legislation banning indoor tanning for minors, as well as legislation protecting children from flavored tobacco products and tobacco advertising.
Some of the flavored cigarettes are Kiss Super slims Menthol cigarettes, Eva Slims Menthol cigarettes.
State Senator William Larkin stressed the importance of making more funding available stating that we cannot fall behind on keeping our knowledge of cancer current.
“We ought to be able to say to Washington stop sending our tax dollars oversees and send it back to the United States of America so that they can make progress in programs such as cancer research,” he said.
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said that in order for long term solutions to come to fruition it is necessary to change behavior as a government and as citizens.
Assemblyman Peter Lopez agreed saying part of the issue has been focusing on what is to be done from a preventative and well-care standpoint.
“Many of our groups are working on peer networking, educational outreach, seminars, and really changing the healthcare system to encourage people to take more ownership of their own personal healthcare,” he said.
This includes educating people on identifying symptoms so that they are able to report them to physicians early while treatment is most effective, said Lopez.
Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said the fight against cancer is a collective battle and individuals in the county can make a difference right now by eating a little better, being a little more active, committing a few dollars to research, and making sure that they help everyone around them do the same.
Lead Legislative Ambassador for the 22nd Congressional District Neil Eisenberg said it is “crucial we focus on the importance of continued funding for cancer research because the major advancements made in fighting cancer have been directly related to federally funded cancer research.”
