Breast Cancer Update

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10 Million Breast Screenings and Counting

This fall will mark the 10 millionth breast screening performed by the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Since 1991, this federal program has provided low-income, uninsured and underinsured, women access to lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings. Despite this record of success, the program is severely underfunded, serving fewer than 1 in 5 eligible women. The American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network^SM (ACS CAN), is working to increase funding that supports the program.

In October, Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius joined ACS CAN leaders, members of Congress, spokespeople from the National Football League, and breast cancer survivors in Washington, D.C. to recognize the NBCCEDP and to emphasize the importance of breast cancer awareness.

"For 20 years this program has saved lives by offering breast and cervical cancer screenings to women who otherwise could not get them," said Christopher W. Hansen, president of ACS CAN. "Medical advances in the prevention and early detection of cancer are responsible for a 20-year decline in death rates from the disease, but Americans without access to proven screening tests cannot benefit."

Please visit acscan.org/breastcancer for more information about ACS CAN’s breast cancer advocacy efforts.