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Pennsylvania State Senate
05/20/2024 10:51 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=42617
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: May 1, 2024 11:02 AM
From: Senator Kim L. Ward
To: All Senate members
Subject: Resolution Recognizing May 2024 as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania
 
In the near future, I intend to introduce a resolution recognizing May 2024 as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania.

Last May, Pennsylvania took a crucial step forward in the battle against breast cancer with the passage of SB 8 becoming law as Act 1 of 2023. In recognition of this landmark legislation and with a commitment to furthering awareness about “Early Detection” and “Knowing Your Family History,” it is important that we help Pennsylvanians understand that this first-of-its-kind legislation eliminates all expenses linked to breast cancer detection for high-risk Pennsylvanians covered under state law, encompassing MRI’s, breast ultrasounds, and BRCA-related testing and counseling.

As a breast cancer survivor, I understand the importance of early detection and identifying ways to help battle this deadly disease. In Pennsylvania, 38 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. Nationally, an average of 1 in 4 women between 50 and 74 years of age have not received a mammogram in the past two years. Mammograms can detect cancer in the early stages long before it can be felt and when it is in the most treatable form.

Our goal in recognizing May as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania is to encourage women, particularly those in high-risk groups, to make a mammography appointment. Three out of four women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and are not considered high risk. It is crucial to discuss your breast cancer risk with your doctor by age 25, as recommended by the American College of Radiology. Early detection significantly enhances your chances of survival, and regular mammograms, when conducted annually, offer the best opportunity for early detection and increased survival rates.

To help raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis in combating breast cancer, please join me in recognizing May 2024 as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania.
 


Introduced as SR292