HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) along with co-sponsors Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-2) and Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) announced a Senate resolution recognizing May 2025 as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania. Building on last year’s successful initiative, Ward is again partnering with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) to continue raising awareness about the life-saving importance of early breast cancer detection.
In January 2025, Pennsylvania fully implemented Act 1 of 2023, a groundbreaking law eliminating out-of-pocket costs associated with breast cancer screening for high-risk patients covered under state-regulated insurance plans. This first-of-its-kind legislation ensures that supplemental tests – such as MRIs, breast ultrasounds and BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling – are fully covered, removing financial barriers to early detection.
“As a breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand the importance of early detection and proactive health care,” said Ward. “Breast cancer is a diagnosis that changes your life forever. I am proud that here in Pennsylvania we are leading the way by making sure high-risk individuals have access to critical services without worrying about cost. With Act 1 fully implemented, there is no excuse to delay essential screenings. Our message during Mammography Month is simple but powerful: early detection saves lives.”
The need for awareness and action remains critical. The American Cancer Society estimates that 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer nationwide in 2025. In Pennsylvania alone, an average of 38 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. Alarmingly, nearly one in four women aged 50 to 74 have not received a mammogram in the past two years, despite strong evidence that early detection drastically improves outcomes.
“Getting a mammogram isn’t just about your health. It’s about your life. It’s about being here for your family, your community and yourself. I know because a mammogram saved my life,” said PA Breast Cancer Coalition President Pat Halpin-Murphy. “We are proud to be in Pennsylvania, a state where legislators are focused on removing cost barriers to early detection. We were the first state to provide no-cost 3D mammograms and now, with the implementation of Act 1 of 2023, we are the first state in the nation to provide no-cost supplemental breast MRI, ultrasound and genetic testing. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition stands with Sen. Kim Ward in her efforts to act and save lives this Mammo May.”
The American College of Radiology recommends that women discuss their breast cancer risk with their doctors by age 25. Regular annual mammograms provide the best chance for early detection and improved survival rates. Ward and the PBCC will work together throughout May to spread the message of early detection, knowing family history and using the tools made available through Act 1.