October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is sharing a reminder to those of screening age and with a family history of breast cancer to get their cancer screenings scheduled and back on the books. In addition, and as part of the mammogram reminder, the Foundation is distributing its recently updated resource, the Breast Health Education for Young Women Facilitator’s Guide, available in Spanish or in English.
The guide was developed by the Foundation in partnership with Howard University Cancer Center for use in interactive group sessions which can be conducted virtually or as an in-person group. The sessions aim to broaden and deepen breast health education for all young women, however they define their sex or gender. The guide was an expansion of breast health education that Howard provided to the diversity of young women enrolled in the District of Columbia high schools.
This easy-to-use guide provides facilitators with activities that can be performed in-person or virtually. As envisioned, program participants will develop breast-healthy habits for themselves and also educate their relatives and encourage them to get routine screenings for breast cancer. Anyone interested in improving their community’s breast health knowledge during Breast Cancer Awareness Month—or anytime throughout the year—can download the Breast Health Education for Young Women Facilitator’s Guide for free in either Spanish or English at preventcancer.org.
We know early detection saves lives. Routine cancer screening detects cancer early (even if you have no signs or symptoms!) and increases the likelihood your treatment will be successful. If your doctor’s office is open, don’t wait for them to call you to reschedule. Give them a call today to get your appointment back on the books—and then get in the door for your routine cancer screening. Not sure which routine cancer screenings you should schedule? Check out our Cancer Screening 101 resource.
Prevent Cancer Foundation supports expansion of telehealth coverage in Medicare proposed rule
On September 13, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, as part of the Cancer Leadership Council (CLC), submitted public comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed rule for the 2022 Medicare physician fee schedule. The CLC urged CMS to exercise caution in making changes to payment policies during the COVID-19 pandemic if those changes may adversely affect access to quality cancer care. Additionally, the CLC comments highlighted that the pandemic has created significant barriers to care for cancer patients, and despite innovation and determination to address those barriers, access to care remains a challenge for many. The CLC is supportive of continuing many services after the public health emergency, including audio-only telephone services, to help address disparities in care and increase the quality of care.
Prevent Cancer Foundation advocates for medical research funding
On September 23, the Prevent Cancer Foundation joined more than 350 organizations in the Rally for Medical Research. This annual event brings together advocates, patients, researchers and doctors to raise awareness on the need for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Medical research leads to lifesaving breakthroughs–that means helping our loved ones reduce their risk for several diseases, including cancer.
This year’s Rally was held as a virtual event to protect the health and safety of all participants. Prevent Cancer Foundation along with other groups thanked Members of Congress for providing six straight years of robust funding increases for the NIH, including an increase of $1.25 billion in FY 2021. Additionally, event participants urged Congress to provide the NIH with at least $46.4 billion (a $3.5 billion increase) to the base budget in FY 2022, as passed by the House in July. This funding is essential to support opportunities for life-saving medical research and maintain momentum from previous investments. Groups also requested that Congress provide at least $10 billion in emergency supplemental funding for NIH, as proposed in the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act, to support the wide range of medical research that has been stalled or lost due to the pandemic.
