MONDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) -- Compared to a decade ago, kidney cancer patients in the United States are much more likely to be diagnosed with smaller tumors in the earliest, most treatable stage of the disease, resulting in a slightly higher survival rate.

Researchers analyzed the records of more than 200,000 kidney cancer patients in the National Cancer Database and found that stage 1 kidney cancers increased from about 43 percent of all kidney cancer cases in 1993 to 57 percent in 2004, while rates of stages 2, 3 and 4 kidney cancers declined.

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 13, 2008; HE01

Emilia Uriarte and Mariluz Garcia are just the types of patients that Elmer Huerta loves to see. The first hasn't been to a doctor in 10 years; the second has been a faithful patient of the cancer prevention specialist for the past seven.

By LANCE ARMSTRONG

"What a difference a day makes." It's a phrase we often hear, and like many clichés, it has some elements of truth. A single day can turn the tide and lead to victory.

And today, the fifth annual LIVESTRONG Day, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is asking every American to join our united front against cancer and help make beating this disease a national priority.

Congress made a solemn promise to America's seniors to supply more affordable medical care, but now they're limiting seniors' access to doctors, making it harder for them to get the care they need. Tell Congress to protect seniors' access to doctors.

With over 3.2 million baby boomer's becoming eligible for Medicare in three short years, and a government-predicted shortage of 85,000 doctors by 2020, doctor payment cuts will create an access-to-care crisis for America's seniors.