Edwards Offers Cancer Plan

Jack Edwards, 6, son of Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards and wife Elizabeth, rubs his nose as the family greets people at the City Hall Plaza in Manchester, N.H., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter) (Cheryl Senter - AP)

Since Edwards and his wife announced earlier this year that her cancer had returned and spread, he has focused his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination heavily on health issues in general, cancer specifically. He has offered a universal health care plan that he said would serve as a foundation for the battle against cancer by providing screening and testing for all.

"I want any man or woman who faces this diagnosis to have access to the same high-quality health care that Elizabeth has received," said Edwards. "Uninsured cancer patients get half the treatments and have higher mortality rates. We have to have a national strategy."

Both Edwards and his wife previewed the cancer forum with an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"We understand the seriousness of this diagnosis," Mrs. Edwards said. "We understand that this disease will probably kill me one day."

Edwards said he is using his campaign to bring attention to the issue. "Both of us believe that what we're doing is important," he said. "This is the cause of our lives."

Armstrong is sponsoring a two-day forum on cancer issues, with the Democratic presidential candidates invited on Monday and Republicans on Tuesday.

Edwards is being joined by New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have agreed to appear on Tuesday.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" Armstrong expressed some disappointment that only a handful of candidates agreed to appear.

"I think the future commander in chief needs to show up and talk about what kills 600,000 Americans a year," said Armstrong. "I'm not going to sugar coat it, it's a disappointment, when you can't show up for whatever reason, won't show up and discuss such a devastating illness. Everybody was invited, of course, and I spoke to almost all of them personally."