Campaign 2012

American Cancer Society chimes in on MT Senate race ads

Posted: Jul 24, 2012 3:05 PM by Phil Buck - MTN News
Updated: Jul 24, 2012 3:06 PM

MISSOULA- We brought you a story on Monday about how funding for breast cancer screening has worked its way into the Montana U.S. Senate race.

Both Senator Jon Tester and Representative Denny Rehberg have aired campaign ads in the last two weeks, challenging the other's commitment to women's health- in particular, when it comes to breast cancer.

The candidates have promised the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network that, if elected, they would vote to increase funding for the national breast and cervical cancer early detection program, a promise the organization recognized in Missoula on Tuesday.

"We want to turn this TV ad war into an opportunity to save the lives of more Montana women, that's why we've asked both campaigns to agree to a simple commitment," breast cancer survivor Taryn Pettit said.

"We don't want to get into the fray of the mudslinging that's going back and forth between the candidates. We found this opportunity of two U.S. Senate candidates talking about a life-threatening issue like breast cancer as an important opportunity for us to raise awareness," Kristi Page-Nei with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network added.

The American Cancer Society reports that hundreds of women in Montana are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.