Commentary
By Rep. Geoff Davis
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, aside from skin cancer. It is estimated that 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. In Kentucky, there were 3,624 reported cases in 2007, according to the most recent data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry.
The widespread and pervasive nature of breast cancer means that most of us have been or will someday be touched by the disease. We owe it to our mothers, sisters, daughters, and ourselves to improve access to the resources needed to detect the disease early and to obtain proper treatment.
I would like to update you on Congress’ work to improve breast cancer education and patient treatment options.
In 2007, Congress reauthorized the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) through fiscal year 2012 to provide access to critical screening services for underserved women in the United States. Since 1991, the NBCCEDP has screened more than 2.9 million women and diagnosed more than 29,000 cases of breast cancer. We also passed a bill in 2007 to allow the U.S. Postal Service to continue issuing the special postal stamp that contributes funding for breast cancer research for another four years. Since its inception in 1998, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp alone has raised over $59.5 million for research to improve detection, treatment and in pursuit of a cure.
Although breast cancer in women under forty years of age is rare, it can be very aggressive and is less likely to be detected early. In an effort to give young women the tools they need to prevent and fight this disease, I am a co-sponsor of the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act (H.R. 1740).
If it became law, the EARLY Act would implement a national education campaign to increase awareness in young women of the threats posed by breast cancer. In addition to helping young women identify the specific threats and warning signs of breast cancer that lead to early diagnosis, the legislation would also teach important prevention efforts that women can use to reduce their risks.
One issue I hear about on a regular basis from constituents is insurance companies that only cover what is often referred to as a “drive-thru” mastectomy. I am a co-sponsor of the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act (H.R. 1691) to put this bad practice to an end by requiring health insurance plans to cover a minimum forty-eight-hour hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of cancer. Doctors and their patients should have the final say in how long a patient should be hospitalized following surgery.
For months, Congress has been debating the right way to reform our health care system. The broad bipartisan support behind the proposals described above demonstrates what can be done when we focus on commonsense solutions. To be successful, health care reform must increase choice, improve access and reduce cost. In addition, it must protect the doctor-patient relationship as the focal point for health care decisions. Another reform measure most Americans and their representatives in Congress agree on is preventing the denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, like breast cancer.
Today, there are approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. With more efforts put toward education, early detection programs and health insurance reform, we can make sure the incidence of breast cancer decreases and the number of survivors continues to grow. As a husband and the father of four daughters, I am committed to continuing to support and champion legislation that will help those who are fighting this disease.
Rep. Geoff Davis represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Read more about the health care debate and proposed solutions by visiting http://GeoffDavis.house.gov/healthcare.
