Simone Boseman urges Congress to increase funding to combat colon cancer

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Colorectal cancer is currently the leading cause of death from cancer for women, and the second leading cause of death from cancer for men.

And that’s despite the the fact, according to the American Cancer Society, that overall deaths from cancer have fallen thanks to fewer Americans smoking.

Simone Boseman was married to the late actor Chadwick Boseman. He died from colon cancer in August 2020.

“It makes angry that a disease so treatable took him from me .. when all we needed was knowledge.”

Chadwick Boseman starred in “Black Panther’ and died from the disease at age 43.

She says, “It makes me angry that cases have been rising in young black people for 15 years, before he was diagnosed -- and we still knew nothing about it.”

Now, 27,000 blue flags line the lawn by the U.S. Capitol, each representing a person expected to be diagnosed with colon cancer before they turn 50.

Meredith Foster is a Fight CRC Ambassador, “This is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and it doesn’t have a lot of funding like other cancers do.”

She’s one of 200 ambassadors for the cause, with the group set to meet with over 150 lawmakers, including Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), also a cancer survivor.

“25% of physicians according to the AMA say that delays in care are caused by the requirements from the insurance companies to do prior authorizations. I have a bill right now .. to stop prior authorizations delaying care and getting diagnosis for patients, so their lives can be saved. Physicians know those delays in care result in increase morbidity and we have to stop it.”

While campaigners want funding and research to be prioritized, March is also colorectal cancer awareness month.

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