Policy Brief: Cancer Education & Awareness Bill
Written by: Renesa Bhardwaj
Issue: Currently, many individuals are unable to get screened for major diseases & are unaware about how lifestyle choices affect cancer diagnosis. It is important that everyone understands the impact of cancer and the risks associated with their lifestyle
Why it matters now: This matters because the choices we are making everyday impact our risk of developing cancer. Unless communities are well informed regarding hazards in their lifestyles or the products they are using, cancer awareness will never be achieved.
Recommended Policy Action / Bill: Preexisting bills like Prop 65 along with the proposed Cancer Education & Awareness Bill can help make labeling carcinogens more transparent.
Expected Impact:
Promote prevention of cancer through increased awareness about carcinogens & additives
All products, including food & personal care, must be compared to both federal & international guidelines & be labeled transparently
The effect of lifestyle factors & chemicals must be taught as part of a public & private school curriculum
In the past, students living in rural/suburban areas have had a much lower awareness rate in cancer prevention techniques, especially those related to lifestyle factors. Due to lack of financial & education resources, students aren’t able to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle & staying away from harmful chemicals. Though the state mandates the labeling of carcinogens, discrepancies like lack of emphasis, vague warnings, and inconsistent guidelines, lead to the common public having a higher risk of health issues, including cancer.
Statistics:
31- 49% of US Adults have not conducted recommended cancer screenings
Cancer Mortality is up to 21% greater in rural/suburban areas due to lack of access & awareness
In 2026, 44% of cancer deaths were preventable as they were related to modifiable cancer risk factors
Current Policies or Programs: The Cancer Prevention Act & Prop 65
Problem Statement: Currently, there isn’t enough focus on prevention research & education in schools. Teaching about cancer prevention as a result of lifestyle factors is not mandated in curriculums & schools in many underserved areas fail to incorporate these resources.
Who is affected & how: As a result, the youth is unable to recognize the importance of lifestyle factors contributing to cancer & remain unaware about how their surroundings affect their risks. Though companies advertise the risk of carcinogens, these warnings are not emphasized & risks are often overlooked. This affects the common citizens & schoolgoing children who do not have access to the information to make well informed decisions, leading to a greater risk of developing cancer in their lifetimes.
Evidence of Gaps:
Current policies present warnings on almost all items, leading consumers to ignore them when the threat is actually significant
Businesses with fewer than 10 people are exempt of labeling their products
Underserved areas with high poverty rates & lower educational rates have less awareness about cancer causing factors compared to urban areas
Policy Proposal:
A. What the Bill Should Do:
Mandate inclusion of cancer prevention techniques as a result of lifestyle changes in all public & private schools in all areas of California
Provide free resources like screenings & health education to students in underserved areas
Regulate declaration of harmful chemicals in all products with outlined levels of risks rather than a standard label in all products
B. How It Will Help / Rationale:
Ensure that all students are able to receive adequate information to prevent their chances of developing cancer
Support those with inadequate resources & increase equality to health education resources regardless of financial status
Help citizens make mindful purchases & increase transparency between users & sellers
C. Expected Outcomes:
Increase in cancer prevention research & involvement of youth in awareness programs
Safer health guidelines for products applying to all businesses
Equal prevention & screening rates, lowering the mortality rate in suburban & rural areas
To ensure that all citizens are able to make safer choices which lower their risk of cancer, it is crucial that this bill is passed. It will lead to the improvement of resources for all socioeconomic classes, increased awareness in students, and well informed decisions by the common people.
Works Cited
Proposition 65 - OEHHA - CA.gov
Reducing intersectional cancer disparities through education
Evaluating The Effects Of Prop 65: Do They Actually Help ...
Cover Image: iStock
