A new report on states’ cancer-fighting policies finds California isn't quite up to snuff.
The 14th annual report from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network rates each state in 10 different policy areas.
This year’s edition gives California low marks for continuing to shortchange its tobacco control program. The report points out California's tobacco tax stands at 87 cents a pack — far below the national average.
The report says California also doesn’t have a policy to ensure that all cancer patients get palliative care.
Lori Bremner, the network’s grassroots director, said palliative care is about treating the entire person, not just the disease.
“So that you can address the physical, and the emotional needs, not only pain, but there’s anxiety, and there’s stress, throughout diagnosis, and treatment, and survivorship," she said.
Just last week, the California state legislature approved a resolution that calls for an advisory committee to study the importance of palliative care.
