REPRESENTATIVES MORELLE, FITZPATRICK LEAD BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO EXPAND EARLY CANCER DETECTION RESOURCES

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Representatives Joe Morelle (D, NY-25) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-1) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to bolster screening services for breast cancer and cervical cancer, making it easier for vulnerable populations to get the preemptive care they need. The Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) through 2030, helping make screening services more accessible to more people.

"Cancer has touched my family in the most personal way, and I know firsthand the fear and uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis,” said Representative Joe Morelle (NY-25). “Far too many people—especially those in underserved communities—face barriers to lifesaving screenings that could catch cancer early and save lives. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan SCREENS for Cancer Act with Rep. Fitzpatrick, which will expand access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, ensuring that more people get the care they need. Early detection saves lives, and no one should go without screenings because of their income or insurance status."

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) said: “Every year, too many lives are lost because cancer is detected too late. By modernizing and expanding the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, we are taking a step forward in removing barriers that prevent too many women—especially those in underserved communities—from getting the screenings that could save their lives. As Co-Chair of the House Cancer Caucus, I remain committed to advancing bipartisan solutions that put prevention and access at the forefront, and I thank Rep. Morelle for his partnership in this critical initiative.”

Molly Guthrie, VP of Policy & Advocacy at Susan G. Komen, said: "Everyone should be able to get the breast health care they need when they need it, but barriers remain for far too many—the SCREENS for Cancer Act can change that. To support healthier communities across the country, we must make high-quality screening and diagnosis more readily available to those who need it. This bill will provide access to vital services so that cancers can be caught earlier.”

Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), said: “Improving access to cancer prevention and early detection services is vital to achieving our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “By reauthorizing the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, the SCREENS for Cancer Act will ensure that the program has the resources needed to continue providing access to lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment services.”

As of 2025, the NBCCEDP has provided over 16.5 million screenings, diagnosing nearly 80,000 invasive breast cancers and 5,300 invasive cervical cancers, saving countless lives. In 2025 alone, an estimated 319,750 new breast cancer cases and 13,360 cervical cancer cases are expected in the U.S., as well as nearly 43,000 breast cancer deaths and over 4,300 cervical cancer deaths.

To combat this tragic rise in cancer incidence and death, the SCREENS for Cancer Act would:

• Reauthorize and expand funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) through 2030, allocating $235 million per year.
• Improve access to screenings by enhancing outreach, patient navigation, and follow-up care for low-income, uninsured, and underserved communities.
• Implement evidence-based strategies to increase screening rates, reduce disparities, and improve early detection efforts.
• Mandate a GAO study to assess program effectiveness, service utilization trends, and barriers to screening access by 2027.
• Modernize program language and priorities to emphasize prevention, detection, and control of breast and cervical cancer.

Representative Morelle has been a long-standing advocate for affordable, accessible healthcare for all. Learn more about the SCREENS for Cancer Act here and learn more about Representative Morelle’s continued work on healthcare policy here.

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