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U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Ala., is marking October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by encouraging women to take charge of their health. Throughout the month, women are urged to consult their healthcare providers, get screened for breast cancer, and learn more about the benefits of regular screening and risk factors associated with the disease.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its guidelines, recommending that women begin breast cancer screening at age 40, rather than the previous recommendation of age 50. This change, driven by a rise in invasive breast cancer cases among younger women, aims to increase early detection rates. The task force now recommends screening every other year starting at 40 to catch potential cases earlier.
According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In Alabama alone, an estimated 4,000 women are expected to receive that diagnosis in 2024. Nationally, the American Cancer Society projects that approximately 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be detected in women this year, with 16% of those diagnoses occurring in women under the age of 50.
“This Breast Cancer Awareness month, I am encouraging every woman across Alabama and America to put their health first and talk to their doctor this month to discuss the best individual screening plan for them,” Senator Britt said. “As rates in breast cancer continue to rise in younger women, the importance of regular screening cannot be understated. Early detection saves lives.”
Senator Britt is also pushing for legislative action to make breast cancer diagnostic testing more affordable. She has joined forces with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to introduce the bipartisan Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act, which aims to eliminate copays and other out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostic tests. “Our bill would alleviate barriers to diagnostic testing. I am committed to supporting cancer research, education, and prevention efforts, and I hope all Americans stand with me in that effort,” Britt said.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Britt is working to expand access to diagnostic testing for women nationwide. Under current law, insurance companies must cover breast cancer screenings without a copay, but diagnostic testing after an abnormal screening often incurs significant costs. Diagnostic tests, such as mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds, are essential for confirming a breast cancer diagnosis and are commonly required for further evaluation. An estimated 10% of initial screening mammograms necessitate follow-up diagnostic testing, which can be critical for early-stage detection, particularly in women with a history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition.
A study published by the journal *Radiology* highlighted the impact of these costs, with 40.6% of women indicating they would potentially skip additional imaging if required to pay a deductible. The ABCD Act seeks to close that gap by ensuring women have access to the testing they need without financial barriers.
The legislation has garnered strong support from organizations like the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which have praised the efforts of Britt and Shaheen to make breast cancer diagnostic testing more affordable and accessible to patients.
