As Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Month wraps up, it is time to turn awareness into action. In the United States:
- 1 in 8 women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime – that is about 13%.
- Every two minutes, a woman receives this life-altering news, which highlights the urgent need for early detection.
- Diagnoses among women in their 30s have risen by 4% since 2021.
With screening efforts helping to save more lives, we must ensure every woman has access to essential follow-up care.
Right now, access to breast health services varies widely, with insurance coverage changing from state to state. Women with dense breast tissue, in particular, need follow-up imaging after a mammogram, yet many states do not require insurers to cover this critical service. Without federal legislation, a woman’s chance of survival depends on her location. For too many, financial barriers stand in the way of life-saving early detection.
The Find It Early Act (HR 3086) ensures all women, no matter where they live, have access to vital breast imaging with no out-of-pocket costs. This bill removes financial barriers and makes early detection accessible to everyone. Even if your state currently provides this coverage, your voice is needed to advocate for equal access to care nationwide. As we close BCA Month, let’s make a difference that goes beyond awareness and urge Congress to pass the Find It Early Act. Every woman deserves the chance for early detection without financial barriers.
For more information, download our BCA Advocacy Toolkit and the Zotec Answers podcast episode, and check out densebreast-info.org.