Mrs. Wicker Encourages Breast Cancer Screenings

A note from Senator Wicker-This week's report was written by someone very special to me: my wife of nearly 50 years, Gayle Wicker.

Every October, Americans mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But this year, October has taken on a new and deeper meaning for my family. Over the summer, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although a cancer diagnosis is never news one wants to hear, the doctors were optimistic about my recovery. Today, I am grateful to report that my treatment was effective and that I have been declared cancer free.

I thank God for the medical care, the support from loved ones, and especially the screening process, which identified this cancer before it could spread. When I visited the doctor, I had not yet felt any symptoms. Instead, doctors analyzed my routine mammogram and noticed a breast tissue distortion. That early detection made all the difference.

Regular, Early Screening Saves Lives

This year, over 300,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Nearly 3,000 will be Mississippians. Every year, breast cancer accounts for a third of female cancer diagnoses. When doctors identify the illness early, breast cancer is highly curable.

It is recommended that women get their first mammogram at age 40. After that, they should get a mammogram every year. Cancer can strike at any age. Some women are at higher risk for breast cancer because of family history or genetic factors. In these cases, women should receive both annual mammograms and breast MRIs beginning around age 30.

Making Screening More Accessible

Mammograms are the first line of defense, and they lead to further testing ten percent of the time. Unfortunately, these follow-up procedures are often not covered by insurance. The cost drives some women to postpone the screening, potentially delaying lifesaving treatment. In the U.S. Senate, my husband, Roger, is championing legislation that would change that. This year, he backed the Access To Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2025. The bill, which is led by Alabama Senator Katie Britt, would require private insurers to cover those supplemental exams.

Some women living with cancer risk factors require testing beyond a routine mammogram. For example, mammograms can fail to detect cancer in women with higher breast density. Other forms of imaging can help, but they are frequently not covered by insurance. This year, Roger is cosponsoring the Find It Early Act, which would add ultrasounds, MRIs, molecular imaging, and other technologies to private and public insurance plans. With this change, more women will be able to get tested early and catch cancer before it takes hold.

My husband has also supported efforts to bring cutting-edge technology to the fight against cancer. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating a blood-based early detection test. This procedure could help identify cancer even sooner than screens in use today. Roger is a cosponsor of legislation that would give Medicare the authority to cover this new testing method in the event that the FDA approves it.

First Mammogram is Most Important

Regardless of a woman's risk factor or age, the first mammogram is the most important. Women who begin screening earlier are more likely to continue testing and to identify cancer quickly. Tragically, women who wait to begin screenings suffer higher rates of later stage cancer. I understand the demands placed on women's time: family, work, and other commitments quickly fill the calendar. But on behalf of their loved ones, I urge Mississippi women to set aside time for an annual screening appointment.