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HB1606 provides earlier annual breast cancer screenings
EPHRATA, Pa. – Pat Halpin-Murphy, President & Founder of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) announces the Coalition’s support for HB1606: The Women’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Act, which was introduced on Monday, June 13 by Representative George Kenney of the 170th House District and sixty-one members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“HB1606 is fundamental to providing access to essential screening for women 40 to 49 – a full ten years earlier than the current program allows. Early detection of breast cancer is a critical step in combating the disease. This legislation recognizes that our ongoing battle against breast cancer can only be won if women have the necessary resources and support on their side,” said Halpin-Murphy. “I thank Representative Kenney for his sponsorship of this life-saving legislation, and I encourage all members of the General Assembly to vote in favor of HB1606.”
The screening services would be administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“It is my pleasure to sponsor this bill on behalf of the PBCC,” said Representative George Kenney. “Early detection of breast and cervical cancer is of utmost importance. Studies have shown that the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 96 percent if it is detected early, but declines to 21 percent in later stages. The survival rate for cervical cancer in its earliest stage is almost 100 percent. The American Cancer Society now recommends that women receive yearly mammograms at age 40, though the state Department of Health only provides for access to mammograms and pelvic exams for uninsured and underinsured women ages 50 to 64. My legislation intends to expand access to early breast and cervical cancer screening for those women ages 40 to 49 that are medically underserved.”
Representative Daylin Leach of the 149th House District, said, “Increasing access to mammograms is not only the moral thing to do it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do. Undetected breast cancer not only destroys lives but costs the heath-care system billions of dollars in treating the disease once it is more advanced. I hope all my colleagues will join me in this effort to make Pennsylvania women healthier and safer.”
The bill has bipartisan support within the House, and Governor Edward G. Rendell has agreed to sign the legislation once it has been passed by both chambers.
Under the proposed legislation, women between 40 to 49 years of age who have a family income not exceeding 250% of the Federal poverty level and no other access to health insurance coverage would be eligible for screening mammograms, clinical breast examinations, Pap tests, and pelvic examinations. Women who are younger than 40 years of age with a family history that necessitates annual screening services would also be eligible.
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, founded in 1993, is a non-profit organization and the only statewide grassroots organization that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors. This year, more than 12,000 Pennsylvania women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 2,300 will lose their lives to the disease. The PBCC’s mission is to help find a cure for breast cancer and to improve the quality of breast cancer education, research and outreach in the state.
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