ST. LOUIS – What these past few days have demonstrated is the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer, and we honor those who are at the helm of this battle.
The outpouring of support for women in need of lifesaving breast cancer screening this week has been astonishing and is a testament to our nation's compassion and sincerity.
This week, millions spontaneously joined a national conversation about lifesaving breast cancer prevention care and reinforced shared values about access to health care for all. This compassionate outcry in support of those most in need rose above political, ideological, and cultural divides, and will surely be recognized as one of our nation's better moments during a contentious political time. Planned Parenthood thanks each and every person who has contributed to elevating the importance of breast cancer prevention for so many women in need.
Planned Parenthood is a significant provider of clinical breast exams and education, working to ensure that every woman receives the information and care she needs to stay healthy. Early detection is critically important, and the work that Planned Parenthood health care professionals do each and every day helps to identify potential cancers early on and when it’s most treatable. Women have told us over and over again that this early detection has made a tremendous difference in their lives.
Over the last three days, Planned Parenthood’s Breast Health Fund has received more than $3 million from thousands of people across the country. Every dollar received for this fund will go directly for breast exams, diagnostic services, breast health outreach and education so that more women can receive this critical care.
Our first priority is to fill any potential gaps in service in the 19 communities where the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation grants support Planned Parenthood health center breast care programs.
The extraordinary generosity will also allow us to expand our breast health services nationwide including far beyond what we ever thought possible. Planned Parenthood health centers provide nearly 750,000 breast exams each year (nearly 7,000 locally), but we know there are hundreds of thousands
of women who need our services but don’t have access to them. The Planned Parenthood Breast Health Fund will enable us to reach these women and provide them with affordable, quality clinical breast exams.
According to the Komen website, Lesbians and women who partner with women have a greater risk of breast cancer than other women, but this is not because of their sexual orientation. Rather, it is linked to risk factors for breast cancer that tend to be more common in these women such as never having children or having them later in life. Lesbian women also tend to have higher rates of obesity and alcohol use, both of which can increase breast cancer risk.
In short, this outpouring of public support will lead more women to detect breast cancer earlier, and will save more women’s lives.
