KENTUCKY — October is breast cancer awareness month. It is estimated that 1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her life. While most cases occur after the age of 50, it is suggested to get yearly mammograms in your 40s.

And although it happens rarely, men can get breast cancer too — and they may not be aware of their risk.

State Representative Lisa Willner, D-Louisville, filed HB 462 during the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly legislative session. It would remove financial barriers to imaging that can rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. The legislation would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging (such as an MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic mammogram) when medically necessary. 

The bill did not move during the session, but is expected to be filed in the 2024 session.

In 2023, over 4,030 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 790 will die of the disease in Kentucky alone, according to Komen.org.

“I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the United States who hasn’t had their life personally affected by breast cancer, be it one of their closest loved ones or your dear friends. It’s just so prevalent and here in Kentucky it is second only to lung cancer diagnoses. We have over 4,000 women per year who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the state. Fortunately, when it is caught early, it is very treatable and survivable, but a big part of this month is making sure that people know about their options for screenings about support so that they can access screenings at low or no cost and making certain that we have enough providers in the state to make sure that every Kentucky woman is able to access screening near her own home,” says Rachel Roberts,D-Newport, Kentucky Democratic House Minority Whip.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.