Knowledge is Best Defense in Fight Against Breast Cancer

WASHINGTON – In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“As we celebrate 25 years of breast cancer awareness, education and empowerment by proudly displaying pink ribbons everywhere from the work place to NFL football games, it’s important that we remember the reason behind the tiny pink ribbon.

“Breast cancer is a disease that knows no boundaries. It strikes women from all backgrounds, races, and ethnicities, the rich and the poor, the old and the young. In the United States, women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer during their lifetime, and a 1 in 35 chance that the disease will take their life.

“There is more hope for survival as we discover and access new treatments, guarantee more women comprehensive health care coverage, and focus on education and early detection. That is why the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that Congress passed in 2010 is so important. The Act eliminates disparities by driving down the cost of health care and extending coverage to 31 million uninsured or under-insured Americans. This comprehensive law puts an emphasis on prevention and wellness, so that medical professionals can turn our nation’s sick care system into a true health care system.

“As one of the 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in our country today, I wanted to use my own experiences with breast cancer to help other young women deal with the pain and difficulty of diagnosis and treatment. That’s why I introduced the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2010 – or the EARLY Act – which helps young women learn more about their bodies and their risks. The law works to educate young women and certain groups, such as African American women and Jewish women of Eastern European descent, who are disproportionately at risk for breast cancer at a young age.

“Together, we can save more of our moms, sisters, grandmas, and sister-friends. So please, help us get a head start by talking to the women in your life today. We must give more women the power to stand up, the power to speak up and the power to survive.”