Community American Cancer Society Applauds State Funding for Screenings

BRADENTON – Thousands of Floridians will now have access to life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings because of new state funding, thanks in large part to the advocacy of American Cancer Society volunteers throughout the state. The Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program will receive $1.24 million under a provision advanced by Rep. Chris Dorworth (R-Lake Mary) and included in Florida's 2012-13 budget signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.

This federal program -- known in Florida as the Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program -- provides cancer screenings and mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women ages 50 to 64. The program is particularly important in Florida, which ranks third in the nation for the number of new breast cancer cases and second in the number of breast cancer deaths. Yet, before this year, Florida was one of only seven states that relied solely on federal funding for the program, leaving thousands of women without access these screenings.

"By adding state dollars to the program, the Legislature and the Governor are saving more lives," said Dr. Danny Armstrong, chairman of the board for the American Cancer Society's Florida Division. "When we detect breast cancer early, the chance of survival is extremely high. Yet, too many people are dying because they simply can't afford to get screened. That's unacceptable, and this funding begins to change that."

American Cancer Society volunteers are advocating for the state to ultimately fund the program at the same level as federal funding for Florida, which currently totals $4.9 million. This year, they urged the legislature to move toward that amount with this initial investment of $1.24 million. They plan to continue to advocate increasing the state spending to match federal levels.

In addition to funding breast cancer early detection, the Legislature also supported other key issues in the fight against cancer as advocated for by the American Cancer Society. The Legislature provided $12.15 million for competitive cancer research grants through the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program and the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program, both of which were originally created at the urging of the American Cancer Society. The Legislature also allocated $64.3 million for Florida's tobacco prevention and education program -- a program that, in conjunction with other tobacco control policies, has resulted in more than 500,000 fewer smokers.

The level of funding for this program is driven by Florida's Constitution because of an effort led by the American Cancer Society, but the Legislature must continue to allocate the funding each year.