Bipartisan legislation will fund life-saving breast and cervical cancer screening services for low-income and underinsured patients

Washington, D.C.—Today, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Joe Morelle (NY-25) introduced the bipartisan Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act, legislation aimed at strengthening access to critical breast and cervical cancer screenings. The bill reauthorizes the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) through 2030, expanding services to ensure more Americans—especially those who are low-income or underinsured—can receive early, potentially lifesaving care.

“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,” said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick.

"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."

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. 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 Government Accountability Office (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.

Read the full bill text here.

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Cancer Caucus, Rep. Fitzpatrick has been a long-time champion of bipartisan efforts to improve cancer prevention, research, and treatment. This legislation reflects his continued commitment to saving lives and ensuring equitable access to care for all Americans.

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