The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) joined forces with the National Football League (NFL) on Capitol Hill today to urge Congress to improve access to breast cancer screening and treatment for all women.

"Sixty percent of cancer deaths could be prevented with proper early detection and prevention,” said Daniel E. Smith, president of ACS CAN, at the event. “But tragically, because of inadequate federal funding, fewer than 1 in 5 eligible women get the lifesaving breast cancer screening and treatment they need through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program."

Created by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1991, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) offers early detection testing, such as mammograms and Pap smears, to low-income, underserved, underinsured, and uninsured women. ACS CAN has long supported expanding and increasing funding for the program, which currently serves just 1 in 5 women who need that care.

Hosted by US Representative Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), whose district is home to the Washington Redskins, today's event highlights the Crucial Catch campaign, a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the NFL to educate women about breast cancer and encourage them to get annual mammograms starting at age 40, as the Society recommends.

Redskins Guard Derrick Dockery and his wife Emma, whose family has been touched by breast cancer, were at today's event. Crucial Catch chairwoman Tanya Synder, wife of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and a breast cancer survivor herself was also in attendance. Daniel E. Smith, president of ACS CAN; Ravens and Redskins cheerleaders; ACS CAN volunteer and past NBCCEDP beneficiary Gail Carey and other breast cancer survivors also participated.

As part of the campaign, NFL players, coaches, and referees are wearing pink game apparel to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer early detection. The campaign also encourages fans to participate in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer®, the American Cancer Society's premier event to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer while celebrating those who have survived it and remembering those who haven't.

How you can get involved

Schedule your annual mammogram.
The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms and breast exams for women age 40 and older. (Certain women at high risk for the disease should get an MRI annually, as well.) Yet only about half of women aged 40 and older follow this guidance, according to Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures 2009, the American Cancer Society's annual cancer statistics report.

Have you had your mammogram this year? Consider signing up for the American Cancer Society's mammogram reminder tool, an easy-to-use system that will email you a reminder to schedule your mammogram. You can also use the tool to send reminders to the women in your life.

Join Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer®, the American Cancer Society's premier event to raise awareness and dollars to fight the disease, offers an opportunity to fight back against breast cancer. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people answer the call to get involved in the cause. To learn more, visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

Speak out.
Join ACS CAN as a volunteer and help urge Congress to increase funding for breast cancer early detection services. To learn more, visit www.acscan.org/makingstrides.

Reviewed by: Members of the ACS Medical Content Staff