[Madison, Wis.] – Breast cancer fighter and patient advocate Gail Zeamer penned a letter to the editor of The Cap Times, advocating for Senate Bill 121, which increases access to life-saving breast imaging for those with dense breast tissue and those at increased risk of breast cancer. The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by over one-third of the Legislature and backed by leading health organizations across the state, is authored by Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) and Rep. Nate Gustafson (R-Neenah).
As families prepare to spend time with their loved ones this holiday season, Zeamer calls on them to discuss SB 121 and the need for effective breast cancer screenings for those at the greatest risk. She writes, “As a breast cancer fighter and passionate advocate for commonsense health care, there is no better time than the holiday season to discuss the need for effective breast cancer screenings for those who need them most.”
Supplemental and diagnostic screenings are especially needed for those with dense breast tissue, which makes detecting cancer on a traditional mammogram more difficult. Zeamer writes:
“Having dense breasts means that finding cancer on a standard mammogram is like finding a snowball in a snowstorm and makes you four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer.”
Supplemental or diagnostic tests across the country can range from $234 to over $1,000 in out-of-pocket costs, posing a financial barrier for many.
Read the full piece here or below:
Letter | Cancer screening bill could save lives
Gail Zeamer
December 15, 2023
Dear Editor: As a breast cancer fighter and passionate advocate for commonsense health care, there is no better time than the holiday season to discuss the need for effective breast cancer screenings for those who need them most.
Right now, Senate Bill 121 is circulating in the Legislature with bipartisan support. The bill ensures no-cost access to additional screenings for those with dense breast tissue or who are at high risk.
Having dense breasts means that finding cancer on a standard mammogram is like finding a snowball in a snowstorm and makes you four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer. Women with dense breasts need additional screenings, like ultrasound or MRI, to find cancers hidden by dense tissue. Anything less than this is an incomplete screening for women with dense breasts.
SB 121 is a lifeline for those who may face financial barriers preventing them from seeking timely screenings. Often, these screenings can cost over $1,000. By eliminating these barriers, we empower women to take control of their health and make timely decisions that ensure a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. My cancer cannot be cured, but I am fighting for the countless women who will benefit from this bill.
As we gather with loved ones this holiday season, I encourage you to speak with your mothers, daughters, granddaughters, grandmothers, and, importantly, your lawmakers about the life-saving possibilities of no-cost additional breast screenings.
Gail Zeamer, Neenah
The Early Detection Saves Lives Coalition is dedicated to increasing critical access to essential breast cancer imaging in Wisconsin. Visit EarlyDetectionWI.com to learn more.
