Maine members of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) today presented U.S. Senator Susan Collins with a Certificate of Excellence Award for her dedication and commitment to supporting breast cancer issues in Congress.
“I am honored to be recognized by the National Breast Cancer Coalition with this award,” said Senator Collins. “Breast cancer has taken a tremendous toll on far too many Americans and their families. Throughout my Senate career, I have been a strong advocate for breast cancer research funding, research on possible environmental causes of the disease. We have made great progress in the fight against breast cancer, with new and more effective ways to prevent, detect, and treat this devastating disease, however, the fight is far from over.”
Fran Visco, President of the NBCC, said, "The National Breast Cancer Coalition appreciates Senator Collins’ leadership and dedication in helping us achieve our goal of eradicating breast cancer. As one of the Senators and Representatives to support all of our priorities, she has shown herself to be committed to substantive breast cancer policy."
Because regular screenings and detection remain the most effective ways to combat breast cancer and improve chances for successful treatment, Senator Collins is a strong proponent of the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides important cancer screening services at low or no-cost to low-income American women.
She cosponsored the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act, which is now law, that gives states the option of providing treatment through the Medicaid program for women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the screening program.
The NBCC is a grassroots advocacy group, representing the more than three million women living with breast cancer, that lobbies at the national, state, and local levels for public policies that impact breast cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.