Congressman Mike Lawler announced Monday the introduction of the “Early Access to Screening Act,” a new bill aimed at expanding access to breast cancer screenings by lowering the eligible age for no-cost annual mammograms from 40 to 30.
The legislation, unveiled in recognition of National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, would require Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans to cover annual screenings for women starting at age 30 — a decade earlier than current guidelines.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among American women. In 2026, an estimated 321,910 women are expected to be diagnosed nationwide, with approximately 42,670 deaths projected. Health experts continue to emphasize that early detection plays a critical role in improving survival rates.
While outcomes have improved over time, disparities remain. The current five-year survival rate stands at about 92 percent for white women compared to 83 percent for Black women, with later-stage diagnoses contributing to the gap. Supporters of the bill say expanding access to earlier screenings could help close that divide.
“We know that early detection is one of the most powerful tools we have to change patient outcomes,” Lawler said. “By expanding access to screenings at a younger age, we’re giving women a better chance to catch cancer early, when it is most treatable, and significantly improving the odds of survival. This is about making sure more families get more time, more options, and more hope.”