Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women, and according to government estimates, 1 in 8 will develop it in their lifetime, while 281,550 will be diagnosed with the disease in the U.S. during 2021.
For this reason, the government has proclaimed August as national awareness month for the disease.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which offers free screenings to low-income, uninsured and underinsured women in every state, as well as many organizations and territories.
Information on how to get screened through this program can be found at the following website https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm.
"During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we support the brave women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and honor those who have lost the battle against this terrible disease. Cancer affects so many families across the country. It's up to all of us to continue to fight for a cure and make sure all Americans have access to the quality care they need," President Joseph Biden said in a White House statement.
He added that early detection is one of the most important strategies for successfully treating breast cancer, and regular screening is the most reliable way.
And because the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted so many parts of our lives and produced new deficits in early breast cancer detection, there is a renewed urgency to schedule these screenings before the cancer has spread and become less treatable, Biden said.
"I encourage everyone to keep their scheduled tests, medical appointments and treatments without delay while observing coronavirus safety measures."
He also explained that for decades the medical community and its advocates have helped the country make great strides in the fight against cancer.
"First Lady Jill Biden is proud to be part of that movement, having founded the Biden Breast Health Initiative, which educated high school girls in Delaware about breast health and helped them spread the word to their own families," she said.
Still, he said, the country has a long way to go before this disease no longer threatens the lives of Americans.
"I am committed to doing everything I can to bring our research community together and provide them with the resources they need to advance breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment."
In response, he said he has requested the creation of an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health at the National Institutes of Health (ARPA-H) in which 6.5 billion dollars will be invested to develop advances to prevent, detect and treat cancer and other deadly diseases.
She said her American Recovery Plan will also expand access to affordable health insurance coverage, ensuring that more women can receive these tests and treatments without worrying about the cost.
"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has expanded coverage to millions of previously uninsured women and has given millions of women access to preventive services, including screenings such as mammograms at no cost. In addition, insurance companies can no longer discriminate against women with pre-existing conditions, such as breast cancer.
"My administration is committed to protecting and building the ACA to ensure that more people have access to quality health care and to eliminate the unequal health burden on Black women," she added.
For more information about breast cancer you can visit the web site www.cancer.gov/breastInformation specialists at the National Cancer Institute are also available to help answer questions related to the disease in English and Spanish at 1-800-422-6237.
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