We know early detection of cancer substantially increases the likelihood of survival. New screenings and tests are being developed every day to catch cancer earlier than ever before.
Despite these medical advances, cancer continues to kill more than a half of a million Americans each year. In 2023, an estimated 300,000 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and more than 40,000 will die from the disease. In the same year, more than 10,000 people are estimated to be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 will die from the disease.
The government needs to catch up with the science to help ensure more at-risk Americans receive early detection screenings and tests. So, I wanted to share with you two important, bipartisan bills that I’m supporting to encourage and promote early detection:
- H.R. 3916, the SCREENS for Cancer Act, which funds life-saving breast and cervical cancer screening services for low-income and underinsured patients.
- H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which would increase seniors’ timely access to blood-based, multi-cancer early detection technology by creating a pathway to Medicare coverage once it’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Bottom line: Cancer impacts the lives of so many Americans, so we must do everything we can to make sure these medical breakthroughs are saving as many lives as we possibly can.