Awareness without access to timely diagnosis isn't enough

Over a year ago, I started a petition calling for breast cancer diagnosis to be more affordable, ideally so women can afford to find out that they DON’T have breast cancer.

More than 31,000 people have signed it.

And yet, the best response I’ve received was essentially: Yes, it’s expensive… but you can wait six months or more for a scan.

Six months.

Six months of anxiety and uncertainty. Six months of wondering what that lump, change or symptom might mean. And, in some cases, six months while a disease has the potential to progress.

So, as we head into October, also known for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I keep coming back to the same question:

How can we tell women to know their bodies, check their breasts and speak up when something doesn’t feel right… while exposing them to either an incredibly long and anxiety-inducing wait for answers, or potentially thousands of dollars to get those answers sooner?

Awareness is important.

But awareness without access to timely diagnosis isn't enough.

Women deserve a pathway that is timely, affordable and accessible - whether the result is breast cancer or, just as importantly, the relief of finding out it isn't.

This is still a battle worth fighting. So this October, please don't just wear pink. Get on your high horse with me.

Talk about it. Share the petition. Share this post with your family, your friends, your daughters, your sisters, your colleagues.

Let's keep asking for change.

Because finding breast cancer early matters.

And so does being able to find out that you don't have it.

31,000 voices have already spoken. Let's not give up now.