Cancer Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

State Lawmakers Talk Crime And Punishment Legislation

On this episode of The Legislature Today, bills about crime and punishment come before the West Virginia Legislature every year. Often, they adjust punishment or even establish a new section of the state’s criminal code. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, and a former U.S. attorney.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, bills about crime and punishment come before the West Virginia Legislature every year. Often, they adjust punishment or even establish a new section of the state’s criminal code. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, and a former U.S. attorney.

Also, in the Senate, the chamber approved seven bills and sent them to the House. The body also advanced more than 20 other bills.

In the House, seven bills on third reading were sent to the Senate. The controversial House Bill 5243, so-called the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” was removed from the active calendar without announcement. It could be brought back at any time.

And, lawmakers heard from cancer patients, survivors and advocates during Cancer Action Day. Emily Rice has the story.

Finally, Bob Brunner spoke with representatives from the corrections department at the capitol, asking how things are going after legislative changes last year increased salaries and recruiting efforts for more officers.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Advocates Ask Legislators For Tobacco Cessation Funding

On Monday, lawmakers heard from cancer patients, survivors and advocates during Cancer Action Day.

Advocates asked lawmakers to reduce the burden of cancer on West Virginians by increasing funding for the state’s tobacco control program on Cancer Action Day at the Capitol.

Linda Hart, state lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, lost her first husband to lung cancer 25 years ago.

“That’s one of the main reasons I’m here,” Hart said. “I also lost my dad to lung cancer. It actually was 33 years ago yesterday since he passed away from lung cancer. So that’s my mission to come and share my story.”

Hart said she wants legislators to support legislation that prevents youth from trying tobacco products.

“We need to do more to prevent smoking among our young people,” Hart said. “If they don’t start, they don’t have to try to quit.”

Hart said she spent time at the capitol educating lawmakers on House Bill 4983 which would fund the Tobacco Use Cessation Initiative.

“And we have, we have us one sponsor and eight or nine others that have co-signed on, so we’d like to get them all on board for it,” Hart said.

Doug Hogan, government relations director for the Cancer Action Network, said the most important part of Cancer Action Day is connecting their volunteers with lawmakers.

“So that they can share their stories with their legislators, they’re meeting with their delegates, they’re meeting with their senators, and they’re sharing their stories and why they’re so passionate about policies that will help us end cancer as we know it for everyone,” Hogan said.

Hogan said House Bill 4983 would set aside $5 million in funding dedicated to tobacco prevention and cessation.

“We think that’s a great start with those funds,” Hogan said. “And that infusion of monies, we can really make a dent in the prevention aspects. What we want to do is take a step back and look at prevention.”

Hogan said the funds would be used to keep kids from experimenting with vaping or tobacco products and provide resources for adults who want to quit.

“So we’ll be able to as well avert health care costs for businesses as well as this investment,” Hogan said. “So that’s what we’re looking for really is just an input least investment in tobacco prevention and cessation, we feel that with that increased investment, we can protect our kids so they don’t grow up into being addicted to adults.”

According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in West Virginia and the state has the highest adult smoking rate in the country.

Rare Cancers In PA Community And Health Fair Tests For Black Lung On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, a free health fair Tuesday offered the community of Oak Hill the opportunity to be tested for respiratory problems and black lung disease.

On this West Virginia Morning, a free health fair Tuesday offered the community of Oak Hill the opportunity to be tested for respiratory problems and black lung disease. Emily Rice has more.

Also, in this show, at a recent public meeting in Washington County, Pennsylvania, scientists from Pitt announced they had found a link between fracking and some serious health effects. But some in the crowd wanted the study to tell them more about why children in their community have gotten rare cancers. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.

Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.

Teresa Wills is our host.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

$50 million In State Surplus Awarded to WVU Cancer Institute

Alongside health officials from West Virginia University, Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday that $50 million of the state’s surplus funding will support investment to attain National Cancer Institute designation for the WVU Cancer Institute.

“I am thrilled to deliver this $50 million check to the West Virginia University Cancer Institute in their pursuit of an official cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute,”. Justice said. “I want to express my deep gratitude to the West Virginia Legislature for allocating these crucial funds, and to WVU Medicine for pursuing this incredible goal, because we all recognize the importance and significance of obtaining this recognition from the NCI, as it is only bestowed upon the nation’s top cancer centers. This funding will serve as a catalyst to jumpstart our progress towards that goal, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

The funding was included in House Bill 2024 as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget passed by the West Virginia Legislature.

According to a press release, the money will be used for comprehensive research programs, faculty and facilities that will directly lead to innovative approaches in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

“Our goal is to place the WVU Cancer Institute in the top 2 percent of cancer centers nationwide, which will improve the health and wellness of the people in our state, particularly in southern West Virginia, by reducing cancer occurrence rates and increasing cancer survival,” WVU President Gordon Gee said.

The National Cancer Institute leads cancer research across the country and recognizes cancer centers with an official NCI designation, the highest federal rating a cancer center can achieve.

Justice made the announcement at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital with Gee, WVU Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Albert L. Wright, Jr., WVU Health Sciences Chancellor and Executive Dean Dr. Clay Marsh and WVU Cancer Institute Director Dr. Hannah Hazard-Jenkins.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

Cancer Causing Chemical Subject Of Kanawha Co. Public Hearing

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold its second in-person meeting this Thursday, Aug. 18, to discuss ethylene oxide emissions in western Kanawha County.

Updated on Aug. 16, 2022 at 11 a.m.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold its second, in-person meeting this Thursday, Aug. 18, to discuss ethylene oxide emissions in western Kanawha County.

The chemical has been classified as a carcinogen by federal regulators, raising concerns about the heightened risk of cancer to local residents.

During a four part sampling project of atmospheric levels of the chemical over a period of several months earlier this year, the highest concentrations of ethylene oxide were found near Institute.

The DEP says Union Carbide and Specialty Products have emitted ethylene oxide at sites near Institute and South Charleston.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment
revealed six of 90 census tracts with the highest cancer risk from the chemical were in Kanawha County.

The Aug. 18 meeting will be held at the Schoenbaum Center in Charleston from 6 to 8 p.m.

**Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the public hearing would be held Aug. 16. The correct date is Thursday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.

Lung Association Encourages More Screenings

The American Lung Association is encouraging West Virginians to get screened for lung cancer.

In West Virginia, about 2,050 people are expected to be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and more than half, 1,190, will die from the disease. It’s the leading cause of cancer death in the country. The association says the key to survival is early detection.

The Preventive Services Task Force recently expanded guidelines of who should be screened. Now, anyone aged 50 to 80 who has a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smokes or has quit within the past 15 years should be screened.

The screening involves a CT scan or special X-ray that takes multiple images. Those images are then put together on a computer. Contact your healthcare provider to get started.