Breast and Cervical Cancer

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Mammograms save lives. But, even today, too many women don't have access to lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings.

We are working in Congress and in every state legislature to ensure funding for the federal cancer screening and early detection program that has already helped millions of women and saved thousands of lives.

More than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year, while over 13,000 will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.  We're working to convince Congress to increase funding for breast and cervical cancer research that could lead to new medical breakthroughs and save more lives.

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Increase funding for lifesaving cancer screening programs

It is critical that we ensure equitable access to breast and cervical cancer screenings. Urge your member of Congress to support full funding of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

Latest Updates

February 12, 2025
Pennsylvania

A new report released by the American Cancer Society (ACS) last month revealed a shift in the burden of the disease from men to women. Cases of cancer are declining in men while diagnoses are rising in women, specifically younger women. A continued drop in cancer mortality was also noted in the report, thanks in part to advances in early detection and treatment of cancer. The report coincides with the beginning of the 2025 legislative session and the recent introduction of House Bill 433. Supporters of Representative Gina Curry’s legislative proposal include the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of ACS, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), and Susan G. Komen For the Cure. One ACS CAN volunteer, a local Pittsburgh breast cancer survivor, is sounding the alarm on the recent report and urging state lawmakers to see House Bill 433 as an opportunity to address the troubling trend.

February 7, 2025
Arizona

Volunteer advocates from across Arizona, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with lawmakers and urged them to support policies that increase access to quality health care and prevent tobacco use.

February 6, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The North Dakota House Business, Industry and Labor Committee on Wednesday gave a “do pass recommendation” on legislation that, if successfully passed, will lead to better outcomes in the fight against breast cancer. House Bill 1283, sponsored by Rep. Karen Karls of Bismarck, would require all state-regulated

February 5, 2025
Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro presented his state budget to the legislature yesterday, outlining his vision for the coming fiscal year. In his budget address, Governor Shapiro proposed to maintain funding for key cancer prevention and detection programs and acknowledged health care costs and price transparency as a continued area of interest, which secured high praise from patient advocates concerned over the role cancer plays in limiting Pennsylvanians’ financial mobility. Advocates are hopeful that the budget negotiation process yields progress on additional health care affordability issues, including Pennsylvanians’ access to paid leave, medical debt relief and lifesaving medications.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Resources

For 30 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program has decreased disparities in breast and cervical cancer deaths.

Early detection of breast and cervical cancer through screening can improve survival and reduce mortality by finding cancer at an early stage when treatment is more effective and less expensive. To save lives and reduce health care spending, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) is highly effective at detecting and treating breast and cervical cancer in people who may otherwise not be screened.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) is highly effective at detecting and treating breast and cervical cancer in low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women – who may otherwise not be screened. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges Congress to reauthorize this critical program by passing the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act.