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Washington, D.C. - Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) stressed the importance of early detection, treatment, and access to mammograms for all residents of Illinois’ 8th District.
Bean attended the Pin-A-Sister event Wednesday in Washington to recognize the efforts of an Illinois-based community organization. Pin-A-Sister is a breast cancer awareness campaign to educate and promote vigilance about breast health in Illinois churches. Launched in 2007 by Access Community Health Network, the campaign recognizes breast cancer survivors and asks congregation members to remain committed to self-examination and regular doctor visits.
“As someone whose close friend and colleague is a breast cancer survivor, I understand the importance of early detection and treatment,” said Bean. “Breast cancer claims over 40,000 American lives each year. Together, we can reduce that number by encouraging our friends and family members to perform regular self-exams and get regular mammograms.”
In March, Congresswoman Bean joined friend and breast cancer survivor Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-20) at the introduction of The Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act, H.R. 1740. The legislation directs the Centers for Disease Control to develop and implement a national education campaign for women under 40 and their health care professionals to identify specific threats and warning signs of breast cancer, which will lead to early diagnoses and saved lives. The EARLY Act also assists young breast cancer patients with social and psychological support, fertility preservation counseling, and recurrence prevention training.
In June, Congresswoman Bean and Congressman Dean Heller (NV-02) introduced the bipartisan Mobile Mammography Promotion Act (H.R. 2964) to allow mobile mammography vehicles to purchase fuel without the federal excise tax. This legislation increases women’s access to mammograms, a critical part of preventive care, by reducing costs for mobile mammography units, often called "mammovans," that provide this vital service to women in underserved communities. A similar exemption is already provided to blood collection centers under current law.
“Early detection will improve health care outcomes and save women’s lives,” said Bean. “I am committed to continuing my work with my colleagues in Congress and community organizations in Illinois to increase breast cancer awareness and access to preventive care.”
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