This year, more than 626,000 Americans will lose their lives to cancer. In California alone, an estimated 206,500 people will be diagnosed in 2026, and 61,280 will die from the disease. For the families and communities of the Central Valley, those numbers are not statistics — they are neighbors, parents, and friends. We can do better, and Rep. Valadao is leading the charge.
The single most powerful tool we have against cancer is catching it early — before it spreads, before treatment options narrow, before it’s too late. For too long, most cancers had no available screening option. That is changing. The leadership of Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) was key in driving the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act to enactment. The bill was signed into law earlier this year allowing for greater access to the latest cancer detection tools for older adults.
These tests are unlike anything available before. A single blood draw can screen for dozens of cancers simultaneously — the vast majority of which previously had no screening test at all. For older adults on Medicare, that means a real chance at catching cancer when it is most treatable.
California is home to nearly 2 million cancer survivors — more than any other state in the nation. Rep. Valadao’s commitment to the MCED Act helps ensure that number keeps growing.
Call Rep. Valadao (202-225-4695) and thank him for helping make this landmark legislation a reality for California seniors.
Explore more about MCED on our priority issues page.