This bill requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a comprehensive national strategy within 18 months to address cancers affecting individuals aged 18 to 49, defined as young adults. The strategy aims to combat the rising incidence and mortality rates of these cancers, which have significant social and economic impacts. The national strategy must include an inventory of current young adult cancer research across federal agencies and establish a national education campaign. This campaign will educate the public and healthcare professionals on symptoms and risk factors, identifying culturally relevant priorities for awareness and early detection. A key component involves identifying strategic research priorities and objectives across biomedical, behavioral, and environmental areas. This includes assessing research opportunities, determining priorities to advance diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention, and evaluating ways to improve access to care for young adults with cancer. The strategy will also review disease burden, disparities among various sociodemographic groups, and barriers to clinical trial participation. It will provide recommendations for advancing research, improving early detection and screening methods, and reducing insurance barriers for screenings, alongside evaluating current therapies and developing new treatments. Finally, the bill mandates the establishment of an online Federal clearinghouse to provide information and resources for patients, caregivers, professionals, and researchers. A Federal Coordinating Committee on Young Adult Cancers will be formed to guide the strategy's development and report on its implementation every two years.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Health
Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act
USA119th CongressS-4717| Senate
| Updated: 6/9/2026
This bill requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a comprehensive national strategy within 18 months to address cancers affecting individuals aged 18 to 49, defined as young adults. The strategy aims to combat the rising incidence and mortality rates of these cancers, which have significant social and economic impacts. The national strategy must include an inventory of current young adult cancer research across federal agencies and establish a national education campaign. This campaign will educate the public and healthcare professionals on symptoms and risk factors, identifying culturally relevant priorities for awareness and early detection. A key component involves identifying strategic research priorities and objectives across biomedical, behavioral, and environmental areas. This includes assessing research opportunities, determining priorities to advance diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention, and evaluating ways to improve access to care for young adults with cancer. The strategy will also review disease burden, disparities among various sociodemographic groups, and barriers to clinical trial participation. It will provide recommendations for advancing research, improving early detection and screening methods, and reducing insurance barriers for screenings, alongside evaluating current therapies and developing new treatments. Finally, the bill mandates the establishment of an online Federal clearinghouse to provide information and resources for patients, caregivers, professionals, and researchers. A Federal Coordinating Committee on Young Adult Cancers will be formed to guide the strategy's development and report on its implementation every two years.