Posted January 30, 2023
As a stakeholder in preventing asbestos-caused diseases, ADAO virtually attended the Deadliest Cancers Coalition annual meeting on January 26, 2023. The coalition is a collaboration between national nonprofits that do policy work around some of the most “lethal, or recalcitrant, cancers, defined as those that have five-year relative survival rates below 50 percent.” ADAO has been a member for over a decade, and we remain committed to supporting the coalition’s mission of eliminating the impact of these deadly cancers. 
Established in 2008 by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Deadliest Cancers Coalition is comprised of independent patient advocacy organizations and professional societies. For over a decade, ADAO has been a supportive coalition member.
When the War on Cancer was declared in the early 1970s, the average five-year relative survival rate for all cancers was only approximately 50%. With the advancement of prevention and new treatment, the average overall five-year survival rate is now approximately 69%.
Many of the cancers represented in the coalition are among those diseases caused by asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, lung, ovarian, and esophageal, cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2023, a little over 1.9 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States. Lung cancer will be one of the most common accounting for 12% and 13% of cancer diagnoses in males and females respectively.
Each member of the coalition, and the collective group, are a phenomenal example of how people can make change happen. ADAO is honored to be a part of the live-saving collaboration, and appreciated the chance to attend this year’s annual meeting.
Together, we can make a difference in cancer treatment, research, and rates.
Linda