30
Sep
2015
PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is encouraging local women to ensure they are utilizing all resources available to prevent and treat breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed each October.
"As a husband of a breast cancer survivor, I know how traumatic a breast cancer diagnosis can be, but science has shown how early detection can improve outcomes and survival rates," Smiddy said. "I encourage women everywhere to use Breast Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity to get preventative screenings we know help save lives."
The state sponsors the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), a program which offsets the costs of preventative mammograms for Illinois women. Smiddy continues to fight for this program during the ongoing budget negotiations to ensure that income doesn't prevent women in Illinois from getting the testing they need. Additionally, Smiddy introduced legislation during the spring legislative session requiring all insurance plans in Illinois to cover preventative breast screenings as of this law's passage on August 21.
"The new law in Illinois will help more women have access to the preventative testing that we know that can be so important when fighting this disease," Smiddy said. "You don't have to be a woman or a cancer patient to participate and join the fight against breast cancer this October."
For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to learn how you can join the fight against breast cancer, please call Smiddy's full time constituent service office at 309-848-9098 or email at Repsmiddy@gmail.com. To speak to someone about breast health, breast cancer concerns or help finding local resources, please call Susan G. Komen Quad Cities at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636).
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