Murphy Introduces Bipartisan POPCaP Authorization Act for Veteran Prostate Cancer Treatment 

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., introduced the POPCaP Authorization Act, legislation to permanently establish a Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate (POPCaP).

"As a urologist and representative of over 76,000 veterans, I understand how important the POPCaP Program is to treat individuals with prostate cancer," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Due to the exposures our veterans faced during their time serving our nation, they are far more likely to develop prostate cancer than civilian men. Given the special attention this disease demands, rolling the POPCaP Program into greater oncology care is insufficient. We have made great strides in research and treatment for veterans and cannot afford to slow our progress. This program is vital and must not be dismantled or diminished."

"As a physician, a veteran, and a Member of Congress I have seen firsthand the consequences of gaps in care and inequities in health outcomes," said Congressman Herb Conaway, M.D. "Prostate cancer remains a serious and disproportionate threat to our veteran population, particularly for African American veterans, who continue to face significantly higher rates of both diagnosis and mortality. This legislation represents an important step toward addressing those disparities by strengthening research and improving the delivery of care within the VA system. We have both the tools and the responsibility to do better. We must ensure we are making the investments necessary to protect the health and dignity of those who have served our country."

"The POPCaP Authorization Act represents a pivotal moment in the fight against prostate cancer," said Courtney Bugler, President and CEO, ZERO Prostate Cancer. "Our veterans face disproportionate risk due to service-related exposures, and African American veterans bear an unconscionable burden with twice the diagnosis rate and twice the mortality. We commend Representatives Murphy and Conaway for their leadership on this critical legislation. The VA's integrated healthcare system offers an unparalleled opportunity to advance precision oncology research while delivering quality care to those who've served our nation. Congress must now move swiftly to pass this bill and ensure its funding. Our veterans have earned this investment, and the breakthroughs generated through POPCaP will benefit all American men facing this disease."

Background

• Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.
• In 2016, the VA Office of Research & Development launched the VA Precision Oncology Program to conduct state-of-the-art precision oncology research to improve care for Veterans and others with cancer.
• As part of this initiative, in 2016, the VA partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to establish the Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate (POPCaP).
• Currently, the VA plans to integrate the POPCaP program into a newly created Precision Oncology Program, diluting the quality of care that veterans with prostate cancer receive and making it more difficult for veterans to receive state-of-the-art treatments.

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