Report Shows Mass. Ahead In Cancer Prevention

A new report shows that Massachusetts legislators rank ahead of most states in generating cancer-prevention initiatives.

The report, authored by the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network, says that Massachusetts surpasses expectations in four of six benchmarks.

Massachusetts is measuring up in key areas like funding for breast and cervical cancer early detection programs, access to care for the uninsured, enforcing smoke-free laws and taxing tobacco products.

The ACS says the Bay State scores low in two areas, however.

"Right now there's no requirement that colon cancer screening tests need to be covered by insurance," Marc Hymovitz, the Government Relations director for the ACS in Massachusetts, said. "We would hope that our elected officials would look to provide that requirement."

Hymovitz says Massachusetts also spends very little on tobacco-use prevention compared to other states — only $4.5 million out of the $900 million the state brings in through tobacco taxes and settlements.