Lake County Gazette

Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against breast cancer and highlights the importance of early detection. This month, individuals who have fought against breast cancer are honored, and efforts to find a cure continue.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation reports an estimated 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women in the United States for 2024. Additionally, approximately 42,250 women are expected to succumb to breast cancer this year in the U.S.

Legislation effective from January 2020 mandates that both private insurance and Medicaid cover preventive measures for detecting breast cancer. This includes mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs when deemed medically necessary by healthcare professionals. Furthermore, Public Act 103-0325 ensures coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy in cancer treatment.

The Illinois Department of Public Health indicates that over ten thousand women in Illinois are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Recently, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended biennial screenings starting at age 40 instead of 50. These laws and recommendations aim to enhance early detection and treatment to save lives.

Screening tests play a crucial role in identifying breast cancer before symptoms appear, improving survival chances through early detection.

Individuals are encouraged to contact their healthcare providers to schedule screenings. For further information and resources on breast cancer, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website at dph.illinois.gov.