BISA Joins Komen in D.C. to Advocate for Women Facing a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Washington, D.C., June 2024 — About every 48 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone dies from breast cancer. Experts suggest that one-third of these deaths could be prevented by universal access to early detection and modern treatments. Members of BISA joined Komen to advocate for laws that make high-quality health care more accessible and affordable.
Breast cancer knows no boundaries—affecting people of all ages, genders, socio-economic statuses and geographic locations. It is a relentless adversary, physically, emotionally, and financially challenging patients. From June 10-12, BISA members Maria Gmitro and Sarah Beckcom had the opportunity to join breast cancer survivors who shared breast cancer stories with members of Congress at the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Summit 2024.
This is the second year that BISA representatives joined the Komen Foundation on Capitol Hill, and we hope that the Komen Foundation will eventually become more involved in other cancers of the breast because there are additional cancers that impact the breast beyond what is typically thought of as breast cancer. BIA-ALCL and BIA-SCC are two types of cancers that are associated with breast implants. Women who are impacted by these cancers are also in need of timely access to testing, treatment and support.
The journey from screening to a breast cancer diagnosis and then treatment remains excessively difficult and costly. Without intervention, too many people will have to forego the care they need and may lose their lives to this disease.
We are fortunate to have top-of-the-line treatments available today that can cure early-stage breast cancer and allow people with incurable breast cancer to live longer, but they are only effective if patients can access them.
Exacerbating the problem, a person cannot get a breast cancer diagnosis unless they can also access needed screening and diagnostic services, which can be limited due to high out-of-pocket costs.
Legislation pending on Capitol Hill would make that needed care more accessible by removing the financial and administrative burdens people must currently endure.
According to the Komen Foundation, legislation pending on Capitol Hill would make needed care more accessible by removing the financial and administrative burdens people currently endure. But lawmakers must act now so that the legislation becomes law. We cannot afford to let these bills languish—lives hang in the balance.
When a routine screening mammogram reveals an abnormality, people incur out-of-pocket costs for additional imaging to determine if that abnormality is cancerous. Many women, however, cannot afford their out-of-pocket share.
They either make tough financial choices or skip the tests, only to be diagnosed with later-stage breast cancer when outcomes are worse and treatment options can be limited.
The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act (H.R.3851/S.2464) would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for follow-up diagnostic imaging when a mammogram reveals an abnormality and supplemental imaging for those referred to imaging beyond mammography because they are survivors or at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Removing this financial barrier would lead to the earlier detection of breast cancer, providing better outcomes for patients and less cost to the health care system overall.
Additionally, the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act (H.R. 3916/S.1840) would reauthorize a critical breast and cervical cancer screening program that provides low-income and uninsured or underinsured individuals access to needed breast health services. We must make these services available to all when they need it and where they need it, and this bill does just that by reaching into under-resourced communities that are rarely or never screened for breast cancer.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer often require a treatment that is personalized to them, allowing for their best chance at killing their breast cancer tumors. Unfortunately, health insurers can require a patient to take a different medication first and have that treatment fail before they can take the medication their doctor initially prescribed. Advancing the Safe Step Act (H.R.2630/S.652) will allow patients to start with the treatment their doctor initially prescribes. It truly can make a difference in patients’ lives by controlling their cancer and helping them maintain their quality of life.
Sarah Beckcom, Vice President of BISA, has been advocating with the Komen Foundation for 5 years. “Working with Komen and those impacted by breast cancer helps us to not only keep abreast of the changes in breast cancer care/hurdles, but it also allows us the time to hear from patients who are currently going through treatment,” she said.
“Understanding the hurdles and choices facing these patients gives us an insight into a large number of women who are now facing the decision of reconstruction or aesthetic flat closure. Every year, we make the journey to D.C. out of our own pocket, and every year, I’m reinvigorated with more reasons why this work is SO very important,” Beckom added.
“As the number of patients diagnosed with cancers caused by breast implants continues to increase, the legislation Komen is working to pass would also help many of these women gain access to the care they so desperately need for diagnosis and treatment,” Beckom said. “There is always more work to be done, but I leave D.C. having made new friends, hearing countless stories, and helping to get important legislation passed on the hill. It’s worth every single blister!”
“Women and families that BISA works with have been impacted by breast cancer, and joining the 2024 Advocacy Summit was very rewarding,” Maria Gmitro, BISA’s president, said.
“I was proud to advocate from my home state of South Carolina and help contribute toward positive change for women’s health. BISA hopes that one day, organizations like the Komen Foundation will help us get cancer of the breast recognized because there are additional cancers that impact the breast beyond what’s typically thought of as breast cancer.”
For more information:
Learn more about the Komen Foundation and key issues.
Considering becoming a Komen Advocate.
Sign up to be a Komen Advocacy Insider.
Learn about breast implant associated cancers
Concerned about breast implant associated cancers? BISA recommends joining Support Group: ALCL in Women with Breast Implants BIA-ALCL
About Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA)
The Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA) is the largest organization of board-certified patient advocates and subject matter experts in the world dedicated to patient and consumer safety relating to breast implants. Representing the millions of individuals worldwide that currently have, had, or are considering breast implants, the alliance is a non-industry funded leading authority dedicated to providing balanced, evidence-based information for informed decision making about breast implant surgery and related issues. Founded in 2019 by women, BISA is a grassroots nonprofit organization led by volunteers who do not receive a salary for their work.
Contact: Maria Gmitro, President | maria@bisanonprofit.org