Breast and Cervical Cancer

Mammograms save lives. But, even today, too many women don't have access to lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings.

We are working in Congress and in every state legislature to ensure funding for the federal cancer screening and early detection program that has already helped millions of women and saved thousands of lives.

More than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year, while over 13,000 will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.  We're working to convince Congress to increase funding for breast and cervical cancer research that could lead to new medical breakthroughs and save more lives.

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Congress: Increase Funding For Lifesaving Cancer Screening Programs

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) is a critical safety net to ensure that all eligible individuals – no matter where they live or how little money they make – can get a free or inexpensive breast or cervical cancer screening. But today, the program doesn’t have enough funding to serve everyone who needs it.

Latest Updates

August 4, 2023
Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA – AUGUST 4, 2023 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed and Governor Shapiro certified the 2023-24 budget—the contents of which communicate to all Pennsylvanians that their health is a priority. To mark this important step, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) responded with the following

June 16, 2023
National

Today, President Biden nominated Dr. Mandy Cohen to serve as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The role is critical to leading data collection and implementing evidence-based interventions that reduce cancer incidence and mortality including informing state tobacco prevention and cessation programs and preventive screening programs like the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program that improves early detection.

May 2, 2023
Virginia

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, expanded access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Virginians touched by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2023,

April 21, 2023
Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA –APRIL 21, 2023 – Cancer survivors, their families and caregivers from across Pennsylvania will gather at the Capitol building on Tuesday, April 25 to ask legislators to maintain the historic funding levels for the Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Resources

If detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers. Incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer have declined by over 50 percent in the past 40 years, largely due to improved screening and early detection. However, the rate of decline has slowed in recent years. Efforts to reduce barriers to screening could greatly improve cervical cancer screening rates, particularly for disparate populations.

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