Aaron Tucker¹, Kristianna Pettibone, MS, PhD¹, Lisa Lineberger¹, and Regina El Arculli, MA². (1) Center for Health Policy and Legislative Analysis, The MayaTech Corporation, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 900, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3921, 301-587-1600, atucker@mayatech.com, (2) Office of Policy Analysis and Response, National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 10A48, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580

Using data from the NCI’s State Cancer Legislative Database, this research analyzed the nature and extent of enacted legislation for cancer topics (including screening reimbursement, treatment reimbursement, and research programs) from a gender perspective. Specifically, the relationship between the incidence and mortality rate of each of the gender-specific forms of cancer and the nature and extent of state laws related to these cancers were examined. In each category, legislation for female-specific forms of cancer greatly outnumbers that of male-specific forms of cancer. Every state has enacted laws related to some type of female-specific form of cancer, (breast, cervical, ovarian, or uterine). Only 34 states have enacted laws pertaining to male-specific forms of cancer (i.e. prostate or testicular).¹

These differences in the nature and extent of legislation occur despite little difference in incidence and mortality rates. Prostate and breast cancers are the two most prevalent forms of gender-specific cancers. Both prostate and breast cancers are estimated to have the most new cases of all cancers, and are the second leading causes of cancer deaths among men and women respectively. Prostate cancer has higher incidence and mortality rates than breast cancer, yet half of the legislation.² Reasons for the difference in legislative attention can be attributed to the varying effectiveness of screening techniques and methods of treatment along with larger number of advocacy groups for female cancers.³

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will understand the differences in attention to mandates for male versus female forms of cancer by state legislatures. Specifically participants will recognize the variation in state screening and treatment reimbursement laws by gender. Participants will also understand the relationship between the incidence and mortality rate of each of the gender-specific forms of cancer and the nature and extent of state laws related to these cancers. Participants will be able to discuss the differences in the number of laws for female and male forms of cancer and the possible reasons for these differences.

Keywords: Public Health Policy, Cancer

Related Web page: www.scld-nci.net

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The data presented in this paper are from the National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Legislative Database Program (no conflict of interest).
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.