H.R. 5239: Endometrial Cancer Research and Education Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Endometrial Cancer Research and Education Act of 2025, seeks to enhance research and educational efforts related to endometrial cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed uterine cancer and significantly affects postmenopausal women, particularly those aged 55 to 64. The legislation is motivated by the increasing incidence of this type of cancer, especially among African-American and Asian women, and aims to address disparities in diagnosis and treatment.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Research Expansion

The bill mandates that the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shall:

• Broaden, intensify, and coordinate programs to support research on endometrial cancer.
• Inform medical professionals and researchers about the disparities in endometrial cancer diagnoses, particularly between African-American women and non-Hispanic white women.
• Ensure adequate representation of African-American women in clinical trials related to endometrial cancer that are funded or conducted by the NIH.

Coordination with Other Health Institutes

The NIH Director is also instructed to work alongside other related institutions, including:

• The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• The Office of Research on Women’s Health

Funding Authorization

The bill proposes a budget authorization of $1,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2028 to support its initiatives related to endometrial cancer research.

Public Education Program

The bill also calls for the establishment of a public education initiative overseen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which will:

• Develop informational materials on endometrial cancer, including its incidence rate, risk factors, and available treatment options.
• Specifically target educational content toward African-American women, who are identified as being at higher risk.
• Engage with organizations and media outlets to effectively disseminate this information to the public.

Consultation and Additional Funding

The CDC will consult with relevant health organizations while creating educational content. The bill does not specify a set amount for the necessary funds for the public education program, indicating that it will require funding based on what is deemed necessary for effective implementation during the same fiscal years (2026 to 2028).

Public Health Context

The proposed legislation is informed by the understanding that disparities exist in the incidence and mortality rates of endometrial cancer. While non-Hispanic white women have higher diagnosis rates, African-American women face higher mortality rates. The causes of this difference remain unclear, but they are believed to be linked to factors such as delays in care and treatment access, exacerbated by social and economic conditions.

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