COUNTY News:

October is Breast Cancer awareness month in Los Alamos and across the United States.

In Los Alamos, County Council Chair Sara Scott issued a proclamation Oct. 1 declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness month. The proclamation recognizes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on breast cancer research, diverting resources and halting thousands of university research studies.

Additionally, the proclamation acknowledges that minorities are heavily impacted by cancer due to poverty, lack of insurance, and lack of access to diagnostic services.

Nationally, President Trump issued a proclamation declaring October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In his proclamation, Trump states “As President, I am deeply committed to ensuring that Americans have access to cutting-edge treatments and life-saving medications for conditions like breast cancer. In 2018, I signed into law historic “Right to Try” legislation, which ensures those diagnosed with a terminal illness greater autonomy in choosing their treatment path and increases their access to potentially lifesaving drugs. My Administration also has taken decisive action to lower prescription drug prices and eliminate burdensome regulations that, for too long, undercut the potential of our researchers to develop innovative treatments and medications.”

While New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham did not issue a state proclamation recognizing the month, Human Services Director David Scrase spoke on the issue during a September 12 press conference, urging people not to delay breast cancer screenings. Scrase noted the decline in preventative health screenings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He recommended women at high risk schedule screenings and pointed out that early detection leads to better outcomes and less expensive treatment.

October was first designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness month in 1985 as a result of a coordinated effort between the American Cancer Society and a pharmaceutical company called Imperial Chemical Industry, which is now part of AstraZeneca. Former First Lady Betty Ford helped promote the week.

Communities and states across the country recognize the month, as do nations around the world.

According to the World Health Organization, there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries.

Breast Cancer Legislation Stalled in Congress

Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the US; yet patient protections are threatened by changes to public policy.

Cancer treatment legislation and cancer research legislation introduced in the 116th Congress is stalled despite having co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle.

The Cancer Drug Parity Act (H.R. 1730) would require insurance and group health plans to cover oral anticancer drugs at the same rate as anticancer drugs administered by a physician. Currently oral chemotherapy drugs are not covered by insurance while intravenous (IV) chemotherapy is covered. If this law were passed, patients could afford to receive treatment at home instead of traveling to a medical facility – which would reduce the amount of time cancer patients are away from their families and jobs.

The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act (H.R. 1370) would require Medicare to cover custom breast prothesis following a mastectomy. Currently only “off the shelf” prostheses are covered, but these devices are often a poor fit and do not allow for the different shapes of individual bodies.

The Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act (H.R. 2428) would require insurance companies to cover breast cancer diagnosis tests (ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging) in the same way that breast cancer screenings (mammograms) are covered.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2178) would amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer.

In addition to supporting these proposed laws, Legislators are being asked by the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy to support the Breast Cancer Bill of Rights.

• CLINICAL TRIALS: All breast cancer patients should be informed about clinical trial opportunities and those who participate in a clinical trial have a right to coverage of routine health care costs. Eligibility for trials should prioritize inclusivity and reflect the diversity of patients who will use the drug or device.
• EARLY DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS: Everyone has a right to access the most effective, evidence-based breast cancer screening and diagnostic tools that may inform treatment decisions, without the significant financial burden that can often prevent them from accessing the tests they need.
• FERTILITY PRESERVATION: Breast cancer patients who are at risk of infertility due to their breast cancer treatment deserve options for affordable fertility preservation and services.
• FINANCIAL STABILITY: Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer has a right to fight the disease without unreasonable out-of-pocket costs or fear of bankruptcy.
• GENETIC TESTING AND COUNSELING: Genetic testing and counseling should be an option for certain individuals with a family history of breast cancer to allow them to gain information on their potential risks of developing the disease.
• HEALTH EQUITY: Everyone should be afforded the same high-quality care regardless of race or ethnicity, and no one should be at increased risk of dying from breast cancer or be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer simply because of their race or ethnicity.
• HIGH-QUALITY TIMELY CARE: Everyone has a right to high-quality, timely care that allows them to make informed decisions and control their own health, no matter where they may receive medical services.
• INSURANCE: Breast cancer patients and survivors have a right to continuous, affordable, quality health insurance coverage, regardless of pre-existing conditions, income level or whether they have public or private insurance.
• PATIENT NAVIGATION: Breast cancer patients have a right to receive culturally appropriate navigation services to guide them through the burdensome health care system, since patient navigation services lead to better outcomes.
• RECONSTRUCTION: Breast cancer patients have a right to full mastectomy care, reconstruction or custom breast prostheses without burdensome cost-sharing requirements.
• RESEARCH: Everyone has a right to a government that makes investment in cancer research a national priority and gives all citizens access to needed medical advancements.
• STRONG SAFETY NET: People who are uninsured and underinsured have a right to a strong breast health care safety net.
• TRANSPARENCY: Breast cancer patients and survivors have the right to make informed decisions and control their own health, which requires transparent information not only about the risks and benefits of potential treatment options, but also the costs associated with them.