Breast and Cervical Cancer

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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

Volunteer with a pink had participating in Lobby Day

Mammograms save lives! Urge Congress to help make them available

Urge Congress to reauthorize the program that provides free and low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to people who might not otherwise be able to afford them. 

Latest Updates

February 2, 2026
Oregon

SALEM, Oregon –– Cervical cancer screenings save many Oregonian lives, but too often patients must make significant financial sacrifice for a full, clear diagnosis and some simply cannot afford to get to the bottom of a potentially deadly initial screening result. The Oregon Legislature has an opportunity to bridge that

February 2, 2026
Utah

On Friday, the Social Services Appropriations Committee held a public hearing to consider health funding cuts, including potential reductions to the state’s Medicaid program, namely breast and cervical cancer treatment coverage. Funding for 12-month postpartum coverage was originally going to be discussed but was tabled by committee chairs. The American

January 28, 2026
Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama House Insurance Committee passed multiple bills Wednesday that would increase access to crucial cancer care for Alabamians with state-regulated health insurance plans. The first two, House Bill 40 and Senate Bill 19 , would eliminate cost sharing for lifesaving prostate cancer

January 21, 2026
Maryland

With the imminent release of Governor Wes Moore’s executive budget proposal, cancer survivors are increasingly anxious about what this budget will mean for three key line items. They are hopeful that the state restores funding for the tobacco control program and maintains its investments in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Program (BCCDT) as well as ongoing research at the University of Maryland Medical System Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center and the Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Their message to the governor and General Assembly: cancer prevention and early detection and the research behind modern screening, treatment and prevention tools are critical in the fight against cancer.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Resources

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.

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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