American Cancer Society Calls for Restoration of Key CDC, FDA Data
By Stephanie Brown HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2025 -- With certain government data currently being withheld, removed, or restored but partially redacted on the websites of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration, the American Cancer Society (ACS) is expressing concern that these actions could negatively affect cancer research.
In a statement released by ACS, Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D., interim chief executive officer, said, "Federal and state governments have long had and should continue to play a central role in data collection. Consistent, ongoing, and comprehensive data collection and dissemination are instrumental in our ability to ensure we have relevant and timely information to inform the best interventions to prevent, detect, and treat chronic diseases, including cancer."
The annual ACS report on cancer statistics, which highlights the most current trends in cancer occurrence, survival, prevention, symptoms, early detection, and treatment, serves as an important guide for the cancer research community by providing data they need to understand the causes of disease trends and to generate solutions.
This compilation of statistics and the subsequent analysis are only possible due to the wide-ranging data provided by state and federal agencies, ACS states, adding that any restriction placed on access to these data could hinder the ability to address and reduce the cancer burden across communities. ACS also relies on this information to develop guidelines for cancer screening and prevention, furthering the interests of clinicians, the general public, and policymakers.
"ACS Cancer Action Network calls on the administration to restore access to comprehensive data, refrain from changes that would lead to incomplete future data collection, and commit to ensure evidence-based science can proceed without additional bureaucracy or red tape," Frederick concludes. "Access to comprehensive, consistent, and ongoing data is imperative to our ability to make progress to end cancer as we know it, for everyone."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted February 2025
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