Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program
SUPPORT House Position ($1.8 million)
Background
The Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides lifesaving cancer screenings for medically underserved women between the ages of 50 and 64 whose incomes are below 200% of the federal poverty level. Women diagnosed with cancer through the program are eligible for a special Medicaid program that covers the costs of their treatment.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Florida ranks third in the U.S. in the number of new breast cancer cases per year and second in the number of deaths. An estimated 15,470 Florida women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis and an estimated 2,830 are expected to die from the disease in 2015[i].
Historical Funding
Even with the additional state funding, the program is only able to serve 5.7% of the priority population. More than 226,086 women who need these lifesaving screenings are not able to access the program due to funding limitations.
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.