Harshbarger, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan EARLY Act to Advance Breast Cancer Prevention and Save Lives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced legislation to reauthorize and continue funding for the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (EARLY) Act.

“I’ve seen firsthand the power of early education and prevention in the fight against breast cancer. Too many women, especially those in high-risk and underserved communities, are still being diagnosed too late. The EARLY Act has proven effective in closing that gap by giving young women the tools and information they need to understand their risk, recognize early warning signs, and take action,” said Harshbarger. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reauthorizing this life-saving program that can save women’s lives.”

BACKGROUND:

In the United States, the most common cancer diagnosed among women is breast cancer, where the average risk for developing it sometime in her life is about 1 in 8. More than 316,000 new diagnoses and 42,000 deaths are expected from breast cancer in 2025. And with incidences rising in younger women each year, the earlier its caught, the better the chance to survive and overcome this devastating health challenge.  

Key to early detection and treatment starts with education and awareness. This is especially true for younger women, and those at higher risk of death, like ethnic and racial populations who often face an aggressive form of breast cancer and are not able to catch it soon enough. 

The EARLY Act became law in 2010. Its success centers around authorizing three programs administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designed to empower young and high-risk women to better focus their attention on this deadly disease. 

This includes the Bring Your Brave campaign, which amplifies stories of real women to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women between the ages 18-44, and encourages them to understand their risk and the signs and symptoms. It also funds the Young Breast Cancer Survivors Program, which provides grants to several non-profit organizations aimed at delivering supportive services and resources to increase patients' survival and improve their quality of life. And it offers continuing medical education (CME) courses for health care providers about breast cancer.