House Backs Major Funding for Men at High Risk of Prostate Cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 23, 2019 – The U.S. House of Representatives has included a $1M increase in funding for prostate cancer activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a new initiative that targets African American men and men at high risk for prostate cancer. The details were released this month in the House’s Fiscal Year 2020 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations report. 

“This is a major win for the African American community and all men who are at risk for prostate cancer,” said ZERO CEO and President Jamie Bearse. “Securing this funding was one of our top priorities at the ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit in Washington, D.C. this past February. We’re excited to cross this hurdle and looking forward to seeing what the Senate proposes.”

Labor-HHS-Education appropriation bills have maintained $13.2M in funding for CDC prostate cancer activities for the last four years. At ZERO’s most recent legislative summit, ZERO advocated for Congress to include an additional $2M for the CDC’s National Cancer Control Program (NCCCP). The NCCCP funding will support education and outreach to African American men, and men who are at high risk for prostate cancer. One in six African American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Overall, African American men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with—and 2.3 times more likely to die from—prostate cancer than white men. 

“We realize that this $1M in funding is half of what ZERO champions have been fighting for,” said ZERO CEO and President Jamie Bearse. “But budgets are tight and we’re grateful the House is supporting an initiative that will save men’s lives.”

The Senate is expected to release their own report in the coming weeks. The House and Senate will then meet to decide on final funding for the program, as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill.

About ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer
ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZERO advances research, improves the lives of men and families, and inspires action. We’re building Generation ZERO, the first generation of men free from prostate cancer, through our national run/walk series, education and patient support programs, and grassroots advocacy. ZERO is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with regional chapters across the country. We dedicate 85 cents of every dollar to research and programs. For more information, visit www.zerocancer.org.