Lance Armstrong Hosts Cancer Forum

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Aug 27, 2007 at 10:30 AM CST

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2007 at 5:07 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Democratic candidates for president mixed politics with the fight against a deadly disease on Monday.

Cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong returned to Iowa to continue his personal battle against cancer. And four Democrats running for president answered questions about cancer research and treatment at a specialized Iowa forum at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Parts of the two hour presidential candidates forum will air on cable channel MSNBC and it's the first forum for national candidates devoted to a single medical topic.

Host Lance Armstrong organized the event through his Livestrong Foundation. Armstrong told the crowd the questions may all pertain to cancer. But since this disease touches so many lives, it's an issue that deserves its own special hearing.

Former Senator John Edwards asked the crowd for a show of hands as to how many people were either cancer survivors or relatives of a survivor. Nearly three quarters of the crowd raised hands.

Edwards also got one of the biggest reactions of the day with a comment about whether insurance and drug companies should have a hand in revising America's health care system.

Edwards said "I think if you give drug companies, insurance companies and lobbyists a seat at the table...they'll eat all the food at the table."

Every candidate promised to unshackle researchers and make cancer research a higher priority. The differences were mainly in the details.

Senator Hillary Clinton said "the big goal of the war against cancer has to fit into the big goal of quality affordable health care. Universal health care for every single American. You cannot do one without the other."

After the event, Armstrong said those running for president who didn't, or won't attend, missed a real opportunity.

Republicans get a turn on Tuesday. Kansas Senator Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee are the only Republicans attending the Tuesday event.

There is no parking on First Avenue during Tuesday's forums.

People attending are encouraged to use the Park and Ride lot on the corner of 8th Avenue and 2nd Street SE.

From there, you can catch a free shuttle to the U.S. Cellular Center.

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