WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) recently introduced the Veteran’s Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act (H.R. 4880). Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in the Veterans Health Administration with over 489,000 veterans undergoing treatment. This bill will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a clinical pathway for prostate cancer, a standardized system of care for the treatment of what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the veterans’ health system.

“After everything our veterans experience while serving, the last thing they should be faced with is yet another enemy – prostate cancer,” said Dr. Dunn. “The key to overcoming prostate cancer is early detection. Veterans deserve a system that streamlines the pathway from early detection to successful treatment. This bill is a solid first-step forward to save fellow veterans' lives and defeat this deadly adversary.”

Veterans who have been in contact with toxins, such as Agent Orange, are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Establishing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary prostate cancer clinical pathway within the Department of Veterans Affairs will optimize treatment options and result in improved outcomes for these patients.

“The American Urological Association is tremendously proud to support this critical piece of legislation. Advocacy is a pillar of the AUA’s mission, and we prioritize the care of our veterans,” said AUA President Scott K. Swanson, MD, FACS. “With the re-introduction of the Veterans’ Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act, the Veterans’ Health Administration has an opportunity to provide a significant improvement to the research and evidence-based treatments for veterans suffering or who are at high risk of developing prostate cancer. We are grateful to Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Elissa Slotkin for their continued support of this piece of legislation.”

"ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer - the nation's leading nonprofit in the fight to end this awful disease - applauds Representatives Dunn and Slotkin for their leadership in the effort to ensure that American Veterans have the best possible prostate cancer care,” said Jamie Bearse, ZERO's CEO and President. “The development of a clinical pathway that will improve access to prostate cancer care from early diagnosis all the way through the patient's cancer journey at the VA will save lives, lives that our nation's protectors deserve to share with their loved ones."

“The Prostate Cancer Foundation proudly supports this important legislation which will deliver on the promise of precision oncology for Veterans with prostate cancer,” said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, PCF president and CEO. “PCF is deeply committed to advancing research and care through our long-standing partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is our duty to ensure that no Veteran is left behind when medical breakthroughs come to the clinic.”

“Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness Inc. (VPCa) would like to thank Congressman Dr. Neal Dunn for his dedication to helping our nation's Veterans, especially those affected by Prostate Cancer. The introduction of the Veteran’s Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment Act makes a significant difference in the standardization of screening for prostate cancer within the Veterans Health Administration,” said VPCa Founder & CEO Mike Crosby. “Prostate cancer is the number one diagnosed cancer in the VHA, with nearly 500,000 prostate cancer patients being treated in the VHA system today, including over 16,000 cases of metastatic disease, and over 15,000 new cases each year. The considerable efforts by Congressman Dunn to introduce this important legislation will have a direct impact on thousands of our Nations Heroes, and VPCa is honored to be a strong supporter of this bill.”

Congressman Neal Dunn is currently serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and serves on the Subcommittee on Health. Dr. Dunn has used his medical experience and what he learned while in the Army to better serve veterans not only in Florida-02, but all over the country.