Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is using the platform of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October to urge women to prioritize their health and well-being. She encourages women to engage in open conversations with their healthcare providers, emphasizing the importance of regular breast cancer screenings and understanding potential risk factors associated with the disease.
In her role as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senator Britt is actively working to enhance accessibility to diagnostic testing for women in Alabama and throughout the United States.
Last month, Senator Britt reintroduced the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act, a piece of legislation designed to eliminate copays and other out-of-pocket expenses for breast cancer diagnostic tests. The Act’s aim is to make these vital diagnostic tests more accessible and affordable for women. Importantly, this bipartisan and bicameral legislation is co-led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
In May of this year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a new recommendation stating that all women should commence screening for breast cancer every other year starting at the age of 40. Previously, the USPSTF had advised initiating these tests a decade later. This change comes in response to the increasing incidence of invasive breast cancer among younger women, with the objective of enhancing early detection.
Statistics from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama indicate that approximately 1 in 8 women will receive an invasive breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, including an estimated 4,500 women in Alabama in 2023.
For 2023, the American Cancer Society projects that over 297,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be identified in women across the United States. Additionally, a recent study published in the journal Radiology revealed that 40.6% of women would potentially forego further imaging if they had to pay a deductible for a diagnostic test.
Senator Britt, expressing the significance of this month, stated, “This month is not only important to raise awareness of breast cancer across America, but it is also a time to recommit ourselves to doing the critical work to provide women and their families with the support and evidence-based solutions needed to get diagnosed and then face their diagnosis head-on. We know that early detection saves lives, and the importance of giving women the widest variety of treatment options and the best chance to defeat this disease cannot be understated. I want to encourage every woman to talk to their health care provider this month – getting screened is the best way to detect breast cancer early. I will continue to support breast cancer research, education, and prevention efforts as we work towards a cure for this disease.”
Current legislation requires insurance companies to provide coverage for breast cancer screenings without copayments, but it does not extend this coverage to diagnostic testing. In cases where the initial screening raises concerns about potential breast cancer, additional tests such as mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis. Approximately 10% of screening mammograms result in a need for follow-up diagnostic testing. Additionally, regular diagnostic testing may be advised for patients with a prior breast cancer diagnosis or a genetic predisposition to the disease.
During this month, the American Society of Breast Surgeons expressed their support for the ABCD Act and extended their gratitude to the Senators for their ongoing advocacy and support for breast cancer patients.
