Breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in the United States, is an abnormal growth that forms in the cells of the breasts. After lung cancer, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and, for Hispanic women, it is still the number one cause of death. An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in American women during 2009 and approximately 40,000 of those will die because of the disease. The greatest risk factor for the disease is gender but the probability of developing breast cancer increases with age, certain genetic factors, and health insurance status.
Legislators all across the country from both sides of the aisle are authoring legislation to combat the disease and bring awareness to the issue. For example, in Florida, State Representative Geri Thompson sponsored House Bill 9123 which designates October 2009 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Florida. Additionally, New York State Representative Vivian Cook sponsored House Bill 5483 which would create a Breast Cancer Registry for New York that would allow the state’s Department of Health to investigate and research the causes, mortality, prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer.
Sample Legislation
Florida State Representative Geri Thompson's Breast Cancer Awareness Month Resolution
New York State Representative Vivian Cook's Breast Cancer Registry Bill
Maryland State Representative Delores Kelley's bill requiring health insurers to cover inpatient hospitalization coverage for a specified length of time following a mastectomy
Additional Resources
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
National Cancer Institute
Centers for Disease Control
American Cancer Society
Passionately Pink
National Breast Cancer Foundation
