Frontline - Volume 1, 2023

2023, Volume 1

No-Cost Breast MRI, Genetic Testing

Bill Passes PA Senate

UNANIMOUS!

The Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 8 unanimously! Senate Bill 8, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (pictured right with PBCC Pres. Pat Halpin-Murphy), Senator Devlin Robinson and Senator Tracy Pennycuick, eliminates all costs associated with BRCArelated genetic testing and counseling and breast MRI and ultrasound for Pennsylvanians at high-risk. The bill will eliminate out-of-pocket costs like co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance for those screenings. Thank you to our special guest on the floor for the vote, PBCC Board Member and retired Senator Bob Mensch! Thank you, Pennsylvania Senators!

What's next? Senate Bill 8 now awaits action in the PA House of Representatives. Learn more about Senate Bill 8 on page 2! >>

We know that Senate Bill 8 will save lives, and I am proud to partner with Sens. Robinson and Pennycuick on this bill that will benefit thousands in our state and future generations to come.

2023 RESEARCH

GRANT WINNERS

Wendie Berg, MD, PhD, FACR Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC

Carolyn Fang, PhD Fox Chase Cancer Center

Elizabeth McDonald, MD University of Pennsylvania

Mauricio Reginato, PhD Drexel University

$100,000

- PA Sen. Kim Ward President Pro Tempore Prime Sponsor, SB8

So much to celebrate

Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder

It is an historic year in our state. So far in 2023, Pennsylvania marked Women's History Month with TWO female leaders in the legislature: Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and Speaker of the House, Rep. Joanna McClinton. Around the same time, the PA Senate passed unanimously Senate Bill 8, a first-of-its-kind breast cancer screening and testing bill, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the PBCC's 30th anniversary than by taking action to ensure its passage in the House.

There is an important difference between a stage 1 and stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis. When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 90%. Every person deserves to have access to early detection. Senate Bill 8 will provide that access by eliminating all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, BRCA-related genetic testing and genetic counseling for Pennsylvanians at high risk. That means, when it passes, no more co-pays, payments toward deductibles or co-insurance for those screenings. It also means that thousands of individuals across the state will have access to life-saving information about their health.

As I write this, SB8 awaits action in the PA House. Soon, we will be reaching out to each of you to make history yet again. We hope you will contact your state House member and share why it is so critically important to have no-cost access to breast screening MRIs and genetic testing for individuals at high-risk.

The PA Senate, by unanimous, bipartisan vote passed SB8, and we hope the PA House will do the same. Early detection saves lives!

WELCOME TO THE PBCC!

Caitlin Copus Program & Events Coordinator

Caitlin joined the PBCC staff in January 2023 as the Program and Events Coordinator. After a decade of working in higher education, she is excited to now contribute to the PBCC’s mission of supporting breast cancer survivors and finding a cure. Caitlin is a 2009 graduate of Alfred University, where she majored in English and Theatre, and a 2016 graduate of Messiah College, where she earned an MA in Higher Education. She lives in midtown Harrisburg with her husband Jeff and their son Beckett. Outside of the PBCC, she serves as the President of the Board of Directors at Open Stage. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, playing board games, and walking/hiking. Welcome, Caitlin!

CORRENE KRISTIANSEN

BUCKS COUNTY

On Sunday July 31, exhausted from a busy weekend, already dreading an even busier week ahead, just as I was about to turn off my phone and go to sleep, I received an email that the results of a home DNA test I’d almost forgotten I’d taken were ready.

That’s how I found out I had a potentially harmful BRCA mutation.

Not that there’s ever a good time or way to learn something like this. I wish I had a good answer for why I took that DNA test. But the truth is, after purchasing a DNA test for my dog, I got bombarded with online ads for them for months. Eventually, I ordered one as a lark.

On some level, I was certainly curious about what it might reveal. For years, whenever doctors asked that long list of questions about things that run in your family, I’d answer with a series of no, no, not that I know of... If I felt up to it, I’d elaborate that my father wasn’t in my life and my mother never goes to the doctor, so I don’t know much.

I know I have this mutation. I know my first mammogram was clear. I don’t know anything else yet. I’m still working through the range of emotions one feels when they get this type of news:

• Shock

• Fear – and not just fear of cancer. Fear about my ability to overcome that deeply ingrained instinct to ignore and avoid, to be able to advocate for myself. Fear about not having the time or good health to make it through my long to-do list of hopes and dreams. Not to mention fear about how it could affect my career, my finances, my appearance, my love life, even my ability to care for my dogs.

• And relief – relief that for the first time in over a decade, I had the type of job and insurance that made at least one part of this overwhelming process a bit less scary. Relief that I have a workplace like this one and a boss like Senator Collett, and the opportunity to hopefully use what I learn through this ordeal to help others.

That's why legislation like Senate Bill 8 from Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward is critical. It alleviates some of the financial fears that keep many from even wanting to know if they have breast cancer.

I grew up in a family that was religious, working class, proud, unexpressive... and uninsured. You kept things to yourself, you shrugged things off, you toughed things out, and you only went to the doctor when you broke a limb or were bleeding from the head, and only after waiting first to see if it healed on its own. Openly discussing breasts in any context, even a medical one, would have been as unwelcome and unheard of as sex talk.

It’s hard to admit I had never had a mammogram. It’s even harder to admit I’m old enough that I should have. And it’s hardest of all to admit I turned into my mother.

Cancer is hard to talk about, particularly breast cancer, particularly so early in the process, and particularly when you come from a family like mine, which I know, even though none of us talk about it, that many, many Pennsylvanians do.

But as my story highlights, making it easier for folks to access and afford care is only one piece of the puzzle. We also need to better understand the complex web of psychological, financial, logistical and other reasons that keep otherwise rational adults from taking better care of themselves.

If I didn’t think doing so might make life easier for future generations, I would not be sharing my story like this. It’s terrifying. But just like I know SB 8 will make it possible for more Pennsylvanians to detect and treat inherited forms of breast cancer, I’m hoping policies will emerge to help identify and address these negative behavioral patterns that pass from one generation to the next.

Correne currently serves as Chief of Staff to PA Sen. Maria Collett, representing Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

Correne, PA Sen. Maria Collett and PBCC Pres. Pat Halpin-Murphy at the State Capitol Pink Fountain

GRASSROOTS PARTNERS

Pink was everywhere during the Hempfield School District Pink Out activities this year! Breast cancer survivor and PBCC Dauphin County Captain Heather Hagopian (that’s Heather in the pink tie-dye!) organized the annual event to raise awareness and donations for the Coalition’s programs and research initiatives. Hats off to you, Hempfield!

1. Hempfield School District - $1,582

2. GEODIS - $5,100

3. CJ's Tire and Auto - $2,304

Westmoreland Walks, the PBCC's longestserving grassroots partner, hosted this year's Pink Ribbon Walk event with love, hope and strength! Thank you to the WW board, walkers and donors for another incredible year!

4. Mount Lebanon High School - $1,544

5. Westmoreland Walks - $30,000

Celebrating 14 years of

Partner-chip

Every fall, Martin's Chips changes the packaging of its famous Kettle Cook'd Chips and Slender Pop Popcorn to support the PBCC, raising awareness with every bag. Martin's donates 20 cents for every "pink" snack sold to the PBCC's programs and services. Thank you, Martin's!

Knowledge Gaps on Breast Density and Breast Cancer Risk

Robin Seitzman, PhD, MPH Director of Education and Epidemiology Research DenseBreast-Info.org

All breasts contain milk glands, fibrous tissue, and fat. The more glands and fibrous tissue, the denser the breasts. While normal and common, dense breast tissue both increases the risk of developing breast cancer, and for having that cancer go unseen on a mammogram. The denser the breasts, the greater these risks.

From a mammogram, breasts are assigned one of four breast density categories. Compared to women with the least dense breasts (fatty breasts), women with the densest breasts (extremely dense) are at about 4 times higher risk.

A recent study showed that many women underestimate the risk associated with dense breasts. Of nearly 2,000 women in the study, 93% mistakenly believed that having a family history of breast cancer in a mother or sister was a stronger risk factor than having dense breasts. And, 65% mistakenly believed being overweight or obese was a stronger risk factor than having dense breasts. Having dense breasts increases risk similar to having a mother or sister with breast cancer, and more than

postmenopausal overweight or obesity and other risk factors.

Women’s healthcare providers also misunderstand breast cancer risk. A recent survey from DenseBreastinfo.org reported that less than half of women’s healthcare providers understood proper use of breast cancer risk assessment tools. And only 19% knew that both mammography/tomosynthesis and MRI should be recommended for screening high-risk women over age 30. A prior study reported that just 29% knew breast cancer risk increases with increasing amount of dense tissue.

Know your density. Know your risk. To find out if you have dense breasts, check the letter you received after your mammogram, or ask your health care provider or the facility where you had your mammogram. Other tests after your mammogram, including MRI, or contrast-enhanced mammography or ultrasound if an MRI is not possible, can detect breast cancer better in women with dense breasts. Talk to your doctor about whether one of these additional tests is right for you.

2023

Having dense breasts increases risk similar to having a mother or sister with breast cancer, and more than postmenopausal obesity and other risk factors.

The Breast Density Notification Act requiring mammography centers to notify women of their breast density is signed into law

2017

Pennsylvania becomes the first state in nation requiring insurers to cover 3D mammograms at no cost to women

Senate Bill 8 for no-cost breast MRI / ultrasound and no-cost genetic testing / counseling passes PA Senate unanimously

New! 2020

Act 52 passes in PA, requiring insurers to cover breast MRI and ultrasound for women at high risk for breast cancer

with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition

Drive Out Breast Cancer Wraps Record Year

50 dealerships. 1 mission.

Thank you to our amazing 2022 Drive Out Breast Cancer participating dealerships! Your generosity helped us reach our highest total to date: over $70,000 raised for women and families facing breast cancer in Pennsylvania! Your support allows us to send FREE Friends Like Me care packages, fund life-saving breast cancer research, pass crucial legislation benefiting thousands of women and provide free patient advocacy services to those in need. Special thanks to Drive Out Breast Cancer volunteers and organizers Helen Michener and Laraine Forry for your passion and vision! For a look at all participating dealerships, watch our 2022 recap video at

saturday, may 20

WALK with US

Lace up your sneakers and join the PBCC for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community on Saturday, May 20 at Harrisburg Area Community College! Help us to send FREE Friends Like Me care packages and support breast cancer research here in PA.

2397 Quentin Road, Suite B, Lebanon, PA 17042

800-377-8828

PABreastCancer.org

67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA

A Breast Cancer Photo Exhibit

Thursday, April 20 at 6:00pm

HACC Harrisburg >> pbcc.me/haccexhibit