Breast and Cervical Cancer

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Cancer Prevention

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.

Take Action

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National

Urge Congress to support breast & cervical cancer screenings

Since 1991, the National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program has provided more than 15 million breast and cervical cancer screenings to those who need them most. Before the end of the year, Congress must pass legislation that supports this program. Cancer can't wait.

Contact your members of Congress today.

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Cancer Patients, Survivors Travel to Pierre to Urge Legislators to Leave Medicaid Expansion, Tobacco Fund in Place

January 22, 2025
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –– American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates will arrive at the Statehouse Wednesday for their annual Day at the Capitol. Cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers will ask lawmakers to make cancer a policy priority by leaving Medicaid expansion in place as voters intended

Las Vegas Landmark Shines in Honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January 18, 2025
Nevada

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The High Roller Observation Wheel at The Linq Promenade shined teal and white on Friday night in honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed in January. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) joined other local advocacy groups and cervical cancer survivors at The Linq Promenade to recognize those who have battled the disease.

Advocates Look to Governor Hochul to Address Affordability Concerns across Cancer Continuum in 2025-26 Executive Budget

January 16, 2025
New York

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli: “Coming off Governor Hochul’s State of the State address earlier this week, where access to and the costs of health care were sparingly mentioned, patient advocates are hopeful that the governor prioritizes health care affordability in her executive budget proposal for FY 2025-26.

Study: Cancer Rates Rising in Women; Advocates Urge Arizona State Lawmakers to Support Cancer Fight in 2025

January 16, 2025
Arizona

PHOENIX, ARIZ. - A new report released by the American Cancer Society on Thursday revealed a shift in the burden of the disease from men to women. Cases of cancer are declining in men while diagnoses are rising in women, specifically younger women. A continued drop in cancer mortality was also noted in the report, but alarming inequities in cancer rates persist, most notably among Native American and Black people. The report coincides with the beginning of the 2025 legislative session and presents Arizona state lawmakers an opportunity to work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of ACS, to support cancer prevention, treatment, and access to care.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Resources

Just the Facts: Cervical Cancer Disparities

February 21, 2024

In 2024, an estimated 13,820 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and 4,360 will die from the disease. Cervical cancer can affect any person with a cervix and most often is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent HPV infection causes almost all cervical cancers but fortunately there is a safe and effective vaccine against HPV.

Just the Facts: Breast Cancer Disparities

October 6, 2023

Approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, and 1 in 39 women (3%) will die from breast cancer. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 43,170 will die from the disease. Despite the fact that U.S. breast cancer death rates have been declining for several decades, not all people have benefited equally from the advances in prevention, early detection, and treatments that have helped achieve these lower rates.

Advocating to Eliminate Breast Cancer Disparities

July 7, 2023

Our ability to continue to make progress against cancer relies heavily on eliminating inequities that exist in breast cancer prevention and treatment. That is why ACS CAN advocates for policies to reduce the disparities in breast cancer by improving access to prevention and early detection services, patient navigation services, insurance coverage, in-network facilities, and clinical trials.

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