It's a fact. Early breast and cervical cancer screenings save lives. But for some women, the cost of an annual screening keeps them from getting screened and from possibly finding breast and cervical cancer in their early stages, which increases survival rates dramatically. Although state breast and cervical cancer screening programs partner with the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to provide low-income, uninsured and underinsured women with access to these lifesaving screenings, program funding continues to be cut. In fact, nearly half of all states cut funding for their Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program screenings. That means fewer women have been able to get screened, putting them at risk for late-stage diagnosis. How is your state doing when it comes to funding these programs? Check out our 2013 How Do You Measure Up Report.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.