Urges Full House Action So Millions Can Get the Critical Care They Need
WASHINGTON, DC – Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, commends members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for passing the SCREENS for Cancer Act and the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025, an important step in the legislative process. Both bills now await passage on the House floor and action in the Senate before they can become law.
The SCREENS for Cancer Act reauthorizes a critical program — the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) — that provides access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services as well as navigation into treatment for those who have lower incomes or do not have adequate insurance. The EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 similarly would reauthorize and allow for continued funding to the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (EARLY Act), which requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide breast cancer education and support specifically for young women.
Together, these programs play a critical role in increasing breast cancer awareness, improving access to timely screening and care, and reducing barriers for medically underserved communities.
“This is a significant step forward in Congress reaffirming their commitment to supporting strong breast health infrastructure. Too many barriers persist today that prevent individuals from timely access to the breast care they need,” said Molly Guthrie, vice president of policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “Komen is grateful the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced these two key bills – ensuring education and services are available to the people who need them, when and where they need them.”
Since its founding in 1991, NBCCEDP-funded programs have served more than 6.6 million individuals across the country and provided more than 17 million breast and cervical cancer screening examinations. Meanwhile, between 2019 and 2023, EARLY Act programs reached over 48.8 million young breast cancer survivors, individuals living with metastatic breast cancer, caregivers, and family members, providing almost 36.5 million resources and tools. Combined, these programs provide public education, outreach, patient navigation and care coordination to promote breast health and increase breast cancer screening rates especially for underserved, vulnerable populations.
“Komen is proud to partner with bipartisan Congressional champions to recommit to early detection and diagnosis and modernize programs with a long legacy of saving lives,” said Guthrie. “We look forward to building on this momentum and seeing full House and Senate action to ensure the SCREENS for Cancer Act and the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 become law as soon as possible.”
