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EARLY Act Brings Young Breast Cancer to Forefront
The Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009 (EARLY Act), HR 1740, was introduced by Representative Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), a breast cancer survivor who carries a BRCA2 mutation. FORCE participated in a coalition of groups providing guidance on the proposed legislation.
Passed as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, the EARLY Act authorized a nationwide awareness and support campaign for women age 45 and under, including high-risk women, breast cancer survivors, and their doctors. The law also includes broad-reaching public and healthcare professional education campaigns, prevention research, and additional support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially funded for five years, the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2014 was passed on December 28, 2014.
Since that time, the initiative has brought about a number of programs including the CDC's Bring Your Brave Campaign and Program Support for Survivor Organizations—including the FORCE XRAY Program, among other activities.
News Briefs
7/2/2024 - Joined more than 50 organizations in submitting feedback on the draft guidance for the second cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which will impact drug pricing as well as innovation.
5/14/2024 - Urged the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to create a Colorectal Cancer Research Program within the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
4/29/2024 - Sent the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) feedback and recommendations on its Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Programs: Part C and Part D Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Model Documents.
Related Resources
- BREAST CANCER EDUCATION: HHS Has Implemented Initiatives Aimed at Young Women
- Background on Breast Cancer, Rep. Wasserman Schultz's Story, and the EARLY Act
- Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, established by the EARLY Act, this committee helps the CDC develop approaches to advance understanding and awareness of breast cancer among young women. FORCE is pleased to represent the hereditary cancer community on this advisory committee.