Early detection, resources important in combating breast cancer

Throughout my life, I have personally made it a focus to ensure that I get scheduled every year for a mammogram.

It is now October, and as many know, this month is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I believe it’s critical to highlight it for residents throughout Richland County. 

Early detection for any cancer, including breast cancer, is one of the most important things we can do to combat the disease. I have always thought that both for myself and my family we seek out early and preventative care when it comes to breast cancer.
 
While this is a personal choice I have made, I understand families have their own way of handling these situations.

 In spotlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to take a quick moment to point out how we have addressed this issue along with some additional resources for women and men alike. 

This past year at the Statehouse, I was a cosponsor and supported House Bill 371, which is a bipartisan bill signed into law to help more Ohioans obtain mammogram screenings.
 
Specifically, the new law requires Medicaid and other types of health insurers to cover or provide benefits for the expenses of screening mammography in order to detect breast cancer. Moving forward, this will eliminate certain coverage limits for mammography screenings and require coverage of supplemental breast cancer screenings in specified circumstances.

 Ohioans should not face excessive costs for these screenings as they are taking preemptive care of themselves, which ultimately is beneficial for them personally and to the state in reducing heavier costs from possible early diagnosis.

Our goal in enacting this legislation is to empower more Ohio women, their daughters and all other residents to obtain the proper screenings. The ultimate goal is to provide this resource to catch any nefarious breast cancer early so proper treatment can be administered in hopes of the healthiest outcome for patients. 

I believe this proactive approach gives Ohioans a healthier future when it comes to preventative care for breast cancer. In light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage residents to take advantage of this new resource.

While you can always contact your family doctor for any questions regarding breast cancer, another resource through the Ohio Department of Health is the Breast and Cervical Cancer project – more details can be found here.