To the Journal editor:

(Recently) I joined cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across Michigan in Lansing to urge the Legislature to make cancer a top state priority.

I asked lawmakers to increase funding for comprehensive cancer control and the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

I am grateful to state Rep. Chatfield for taking the time to meet with me. He showed great support and interest in these issues and it’s my hope that he will prioritize Michigan’s cancer patients and survivors throughout the year.

Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program reduces the burden of cancer through early detection, better treatment and enhanced survivorship but funding for the program dramatically decreased over the past decade.

Increased state dollars would be used to promote cancer-conrol strategies supported by scientific experts and research, including the Michigan Cancer Registry.

Additionally, Michigan’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program remains underfunded, despite successfully reducing youth smoking and helping smokers quit across the state.

Michigan brings in more than $1 billion each year through tobacco taxes and the Master Settlement Agreement, but the state only spends $1.5 million annually on tobacco prevention efforts.

By increasing funding for cancer control and tobacco prevention, we could see fewer cancer diagnoses and deaths in our state.

So let’s get moving.