New breast and cervical cancer act passed in Pennsylvania

Legislation has been signed which will allow the Pennsylvania (PA) Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Act to come into effect on 1 July 2006.

The act creates a programme within the PA Department of Health making free annual breast and cervical cancer screenings available to eligible women - those whose family income does not exceed 250% of the Federal poverty level and who have no other access to health insurance - aged 40 to 49, in compliance with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendations that annual mammograms begin at 40. The move complements the current programme available for women aged 50 to 64.

'Enormous progress has been made in diagnosing breast cancer, but we still need to do more to fight this disease,' said Governor Governor Edward G. Rendell, who signed the legislation passing the act. 'It's our hope that with this legislation in place we will diagnose more women early and save more lives.'

The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC), a non-profit organisation founded in 1993, has applauded the speedy passing of the bill: 'The passage of this legislation marks an important victory in the battle against breast cancer,' said its president and founder, Pat Halpin-Murphy. 'It will equip women with the resources they need to take charge of their health and be proactive.'

The PBCC recently made Governor Rendell a Pink Ribbon Awardee for his commitment to women's health issues. According to its figures, more than 12,000 Pennsylvania women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, over 2,300 of whom will die as a direct result.