Thursday, September 27, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Go, Mr. Boren!
(I ran across the article today in our local paper. I lost my dad, Kenneth, to colon cancer about 11 years ago. He was only 52. I was thrilled to see one of our U.S. Representatives working to prevent colon cancer. )
Working to fight colon cancer
By U.S. Rep. Dan Boren
Nearly 2,000 Oklahomans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. Nationally, the diagnosis will be fatal for 52,000 Americans. The tragedy is that we can prevent about 80 percent of these deaths through early detection. This is why I support efforts to increase access to these simple procedures. I have introduced legislation to require colorectal cancer screenings be covered by insurance companies.
Nearly every family has been forced to confront the pain and tragedy that cancer causes. Nine years ago I lost my mother, Janna, to colon cancer. She was diagnosed at age 51 and passed away two years later. Both of my grandparents were diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, the disease was in an early stage and treatment was successful for them.
I applaud efforts in the Legislature to increase access to colorectal cancer screenings for Oklahomans. The requirement of insurance coverage for preventative screenings is one Oklahoma has already put in place for breast and prostate cancers. While some companies already offer insured Oklahomans screenings a la carte, statistics show voluntary coverage isn't doing enough to detect the disease.
In Oklahoma, the only form of cancer that kills more people than colorectal cancer is lung cancer. With lung cancer, there isn't yet a screening procedure for early detection. But with colorectal cancer, we know screening tests can save thousands of lives. When detected early, the survival rate for colon cancer patients is as high as 90 percent; diagnosis once the cancer has spread offers only a 10 percent chance of survival. This glaring success rate illustrates the critical need for diagnosis as soon as possible.
Heightened awareness of colorectal cancer and increased access to screenings could save money as well as lives. Recent studies have shown that early detection of colon cancer can essentially offset the costs of screening procedures. These studies show per-member, per-month cost increases around $2.65 while total savings for employers range from $1.90 to $3.00.
Cancer is expensive for patients, their families and for employers. The total cost of the disease for patients and employers is significantly higher when diagnosed in late stages. Aside from high medical costs, often there are costs such as lost productivity, disability and life insurance. Studies show employers' annual claim costs average $360 per member per month for people without cancer, and $2,390 for people with cancer.
Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia require coverage of colorectal screenings. While this is a great step, we can do more. That is why Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas, and I have introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the requirement of coverage for colorectal screenings across our entire nation.
I encourage Oklahomans to talk to their doctor about colorectal cancer. Screenings can save your life. Because of my family history with the disease, I get regular screenings.
No family should lose a loved one to a disease that we have such a great chance of preventing.
Boren, D-Muskogee, represents U.S. House District 2.
The tragedy is that we can prevent about 80 percent of colorectal deaths through early detection ... I have introduced legislation to require colorectal cancer screenings be covered by insurance companies.
Working to fight colon cancer
By U.S. Rep. Dan Boren
Nearly 2,000 Oklahomans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. Nationally, the diagnosis will be fatal for 52,000 Americans. The tragedy is that we can prevent about 80 percent of these deaths through early detection. This is why I support efforts to increase access to these simple procedures. I have introduced legislation to require colorectal cancer screenings be covered by insurance companies.
Nearly every family has been forced to confront the pain and tragedy that cancer causes. Nine years ago I lost my mother, Janna, to colon cancer. She was diagnosed at age 51 and passed away two years later. Both of my grandparents were diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, the disease was in an early stage and treatment was successful for them.
I applaud efforts in the Legislature to increase access to colorectal cancer screenings for Oklahomans. The requirement of insurance coverage for preventative screenings is one Oklahoma has already put in place for breast and prostate cancers. While some companies already offer insured Oklahomans screenings a la carte, statistics show voluntary coverage isn't doing enough to detect the disease.
In Oklahoma, the only form of cancer that kills more people than colorectal cancer is lung cancer. With lung cancer, there isn't yet a screening procedure for early detection. But with colorectal cancer, we know screening tests can save thousands of lives. When detected early, the survival rate for colon cancer patients is as high as 90 percent; diagnosis once the cancer has spread offers only a 10 percent chance of survival. This glaring success rate illustrates the critical need for diagnosis as soon as possible.
Heightened awareness of colorectal cancer and increased access to screenings could save money as well as lives. Recent studies have shown that early detection of colon cancer can essentially offset the costs of screening procedures. These studies show per-member, per-month cost increases around $2.65 while total savings for employers range from $1.90 to $3.00.
Cancer is expensive for patients, their families and for employers. The total cost of the disease for patients and employers is significantly higher when diagnosed in late stages. Aside from high medical costs, often there are costs such as lost productivity, disability and life insurance. Studies show employers' annual claim costs average $360 per member per month for people without cancer, and $2,390 for people with cancer.
Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia require coverage of colorectal screenings. While this is a great step, we can do more. That is why Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Texas, and I have introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the requirement of coverage for colorectal screenings across our entire nation.
I encourage Oklahomans to talk to their doctor about colorectal cancer. Screenings can save your life. Because of my family history with the disease, I get regular screenings.
No family should lose a loved one to a disease that we have such a great chance of preventing.
Boren, D-Muskogee, represents U.S. House District 2.
The tragedy is that we can prevent about 80 percent of colorectal deaths through early detection ... I have introduced legislation to require colorectal cancer screenings be covered by insurance companies.
YES!
Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him
For Marti
(It has been a rough couple of weeks around here. I got news that my dear friend, Marti, had taken her own life. This post doesn't do her justice at all. Maybe I'll be able to get it all down later. But for right now, this will have to do.)
I first met Marti in Legal Research and Writing during our first year of law school. We were supposed to have a partner for a project and I didn't have one so I got paired up with Marti. It was a match made in heaven! (at least for me) Marti had worked for several years as a paralegal and knew her way around the law library. We met at the library to do our first assignment and she just started pulling books and showing me how to do everything. We became fast friends and sat beside each other in most classes. I thought that if I sat beside her, some of her brilliance would rub off on me. I vividly remember sitting beside her in an Income Tax class praying that I would pick up everything from her. We spent Criminal Law eating Shock Tarts and trying to stay awake. Marti was always willing to help me with anything I didn't understand. She would share her notes and outlines. In return, I made her laugh a lot.
At first blush, Marti was a quiet, shy person. But if you got to know her, you found a funny, kind, and loyal friend. She was smart and a fantastic writer.
Marti loved cars, especially Mustangs. The first time I rode in her car, I cracked up because she was tuned into our local classic rock station. She didn't seem like the type to listen to rock music. Boy, was I wrong!
Marti was the glue that held her family together.
Marti was one of the few friends from law school that I kept in touch with, mostly via email. We got together a few times a year to laugh and talk.
Marti was brilliant, generous, and kind. She was my friend. I will miss her.
I first met Marti in Legal Research and Writing during our first year of law school. We were supposed to have a partner for a project and I didn't have one so I got paired up with Marti. It was a match made in heaven! (at least for me) Marti had worked for several years as a paralegal and knew her way around the law library. We met at the library to do our first assignment and she just started pulling books and showing me how to do everything. We became fast friends and sat beside each other in most classes. I thought that if I sat beside her, some of her brilliance would rub off on me. I vividly remember sitting beside her in an Income Tax class praying that I would pick up everything from her. We spent Criminal Law eating Shock Tarts and trying to stay awake. Marti was always willing to help me with anything I didn't understand. She would share her notes and outlines. In return, I made her laugh a lot.
At first blush, Marti was a quiet, shy person. But if you got to know her, you found a funny, kind, and loyal friend. She was smart and a fantastic writer.
Marti loved cars, especially Mustangs. The first time I rode in her car, I cracked up because she was tuned into our local classic rock station. She didn't seem like the type to listen to rock music. Boy, was I wrong!
Marti was the glue that held her family together.
Marti was one of the few friends from law school that I kept in touch with, mostly via email. We got together a few times a year to laugh and talk.
Marti was brilliant, generous, and kind. She was my friend. I will miss her.
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