Guest Author
Cancer is non-partisan; it affects us all.
Florida continues to carry the second-highest cancer burden in the nation, with breast cancer remaining the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. But the facts are simple: early detection leads to a 99% five-year survival rate for breast cancer. Investing in early detection programs is not only smart policy, it’s a lifesaving commitment to women across our state.
A study from this year showed that cancer incidence rates have increased in women in recent years. Middle-aged women now have a slightly higher risk of developing cancer than their male counterparts, and women younger than age 50 are almost twice as likely to develop cancer as young men, a gap which has widened since the early 2000s.
Cancer is non-partisan. Access to cancer care, adequate insurance coverage and improved breast cancer outcomes all depend on state and federal decisions, including budget choices.
The House and Senate will soon begin the budget conference process, and we must ensure that the Florida Legislature prioritizes the cancer community by increasing funding for the Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This crucial program currently provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to women ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured and living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
The Florida Senate has recommended $6 million for the Mary Brogan Program in their proposed 2025 budget bill and recommended that program eligibility begin at age 40 instead of 50. This aligns with rising incidence rates among younger women and reflects the screening guidance of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society.
While research continues to make strides in treatment, early detection remains the most effective way to improve outcomes and increase survivorship. Unfortunately, we continue to see more and more women fall into the health coverage gap.
When screenings are delayed or skipped altogether, women often don’t seek care until cancer has already advanced. This can make it up to five times more expensive to treat and significantly lowers the chances of survival. We know that two-thirds of uninsured women in Florida aren’t up to date with their screenings. Without stable funding, these women are left behind.
The Mary Brogan Program works and is cost-effective: a state analysis indicates that every dollar invested in screenings results in more than double the cost-savings, as treatment costs are generally lower when cancer is detected early. Increasing funding will provide more women with access to lifesaving early detection services.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation thank the Senate for considering funding the Mary Brogan Program at $6 million and lowering the eligibility age to 40. It’s time to lower the cancer burden for Floridian women. As the Legislature finalizes the FY 2025-26 budget, we urge lawmakers to hold firm and continue fighting for the thousands of Florida women who could gain access to lifesaving screenings through this program.
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Susan Harbin is the Senior Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Florida. Nicole A. Marriott is the president and CEO of the Health Council of South Florida (HCSF) Inc., and the Board Chair of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF).
