Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) Calls on Policymakers to Address Unfairness in Breast Cancer Incidence and...( Massachusetts Joins Nationwide Campa...),Health

Massachusetts Joins Nationwide Campaign to Close the Gaps that Make Breast

Cancer Deadlier for Low-Income Women and Women of Color

BOSTON, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, more than 100 breast cancer survivors and advocates from the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), joined Massachusetts State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-2nd Sufflolk), State Rep. Peter Koutoujian (D-10th Middlesex) and breast health officials at the State House to call for policies to close the gaps in research, public policy and access to quality care that cause some women to die of the disease more than others.

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This year, more than 4,200 Massachusetts women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 900 will die. At a legislative luncheon moderated by former Massachusetts State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien, Komen representatives called on the state legislature to expand funding and broaden services for the Massachusetts Women's Health Network, the public health program which provides screening, patient navigation and treatment for income-eligible, uninsured or underinsured women.

"Massachusetts has been hit hard by breast cancer. Unfortunately, low-income and minority women have been hit the hardest," said Miriam May, executive director of the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "Early detection of breast cancer is key to survival, and the Women's Health Network serves women who would not otherwise be screened and treated -- saving an untold number of lives. The State needs to support and expand this program until every eligible woman in our state receives the breast cancer services she needs."

Following the luncheon, survivors and advocates from communities across Massachusetts visited the offices of their state legislators and requested a commitment of:
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