House approves amendment to increase prostate Ca research funding

The House of Representatives has approved an amendment offered by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) to increase funding for prostate cancer research by $16 million.

The amendment was offered and approved during consideration of the Defense Appropriations Act.

"Active duty males in the military are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer than their civilian counterparts," Stearns said. "The use of widespread testing has led to nine out of 10 cases of early detection. That is why this $16 million in funding is needed for prostate cancer research for our servicemen."

Stearns’ amendment transfers $16 million to the Peer-Reviewed Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) from the Department of Defense’s $19.3 billion department-wide research, development, testing, and evaluation program.

"The PCRP funds innovative high-risk, high-reward research projects supporting basic and clinical research, but funding for this program has decreased to $64 million for the first time since 2001," he said. "I am grateful for my colleagues for approving my amendment to move more aggressively against prostate cancer."