Breast Cancer Pink Out in Waterbury
October 30, 2023I joined seniors at La Casa Bienvenida, on East Liberty Street, who came out for a Pink Out event to raise funds, raise breast cancer awareness, and assure the community that hospital facilities are safe, open, and have the resources to provide breast health services to people in need.
100% of funds raised support the Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation’s Breast Screening Fund. Annually, this program provides free screening and diagnostic services to more than 150 local residents.
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The need for awareness is great because according to the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative:
- 430 Connecticut women are estimated to die from breast cancer in 2023
- Among Hispanic women in Connecticut, it’s the most common cause of cancer-related deaths
In addition, the American Cancer Society says female breast cancer is the leading cause of new cancers in Connecticut.
Connecticut has been at the forefront of raising awareness and promoting access to life-saving early detection tools, like mammograms. Connecticut was the first state in the nation to require that mammogram providers notify a patient if they have dense breasts and to consult with a doctor on whether addition screening is needed – guidance the FDA will be following beginning next year.
In 2022, Connecticut passed a law ensuring that fully insured individuals and those in group health policies will now have the additional diagnostics covered by their insurance.
I'm committed to fighting for those affected by breast cancer here in Connecticut. We will never stop working to find cures, address the needs of patients and their families, and make treatments affordable.
The state offers many resources for everyone including medically underserved women.
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