Stakeholders Unite to Address Policy Barriers to Breast Cancer Care

Susan G. Komen convenes new Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy

, /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, today launched the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy, a bold initiative that unites stakeholders to improve access, affordability and outcomes for the breast cancer community.

"Too many people in the breast cancer community face unnecessary hurdles when it comes to getting the care they need, whether it's the high cost of breast imaging or access to needed treatments. We also fail those living with stage 4 breast cancer as they are not fully represented in the data captured today", said Molly Guthrie, Susan G. Komen vice president of policy and advocacy. "The Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy is about bringing people together—patients, advocates and experts—to tackle these challenges and create real change."

The coalition will champion critical policy reforms, including the federal Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act. This legislation aims to reduce financial barriers by requiring private health plans, including high-deductible plans, to fully cover the cost of diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.

The coalition will also focus on more accurately capturing the scope and experiences of those living with metastatic, or stage 4, breast cancer. By working with regulatory and scientific agencies to improve data collection and count every person diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy aims to equip policymakers with needed information to strengthen treatment access, properly allocate resources and improve health outcomes for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer.

"Despite the great strides that have been made in screening and treating breast cancer, several barriers remain that hinder timely access to quality care," said Reshema Kemps-Polanco, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Novartis US, steering committee member of the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy. "We have a long history of pioneering breast cancer research and now, through this partnership, we take a significant step forward to address challenges faced by patients and families that go beyond the medicine. Together, we can drive meaningful change for generations to come."

"We are excited to be a part of this collaborative movement of game changing health leaders working towards proactive policy change to advance breast cancer science, address barriers to quality screening and treatment, improve access to affordable and high quality care, and favorably change patient outcomes," said Ricki Fairley, CEO of TOUCH, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance and steering committee member of the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy.

The need for patient-centered, evidence-based policy solutions to improve breast cancer care has never been more urgent.  Every two minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 12 minutes in the U.S., a woman dies from breast cancer. One-third of these deaths could be prevented if everyone had affordable, timely, high-quality care. Our government must do more.

The Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy members collaborate on policy priorities, direct advocacy and developing educational materials. The coalition will also host high-impact virtual and in-person events to empower stakeholders, engage policymakers and improve the visibility of breast cancer issues at the federal levels.

To learn more about the Policy Advocacy Coalition and its mission to transform breast cancer care through policy innovation, visit the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy's webpage.

SOURCE Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy