For women living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), like myself, early breast cancer screening is crucial.

 I am 31 years old and have faced significant challenges obtaining screening before the age of 40, despite having valid health concerns. This struggle is not unique to me but is shared by many women in similar situations.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of developing breast cancer, often at an earlier age than the general population. Research has shown that women with NF1 are at a higher risk for breast cancer as early as in their 30s. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women with NF1 have a five-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer by age 50 compared to women without the condition.

Current guidelines for breast cancer screening typically recommend starting at age 40, which overlooks the unique risks faced by women with NF1. This gap in the healthcare system leaves many of us vulnerable and anxious about our health, despite advances in medical research indicating the need for earlier intervention. We need proactive, rather than reactive, healthcare strategies to protect the lives of those at increased risk.

We urge healthcare policymakers and institutions to revise screening guidelines to ensure access to early mammograms for women with NF1 who are younger than 40. This change will provide a crucial component in early detection and increase survival rates among those affected by this condition.

Your signature can help bring attention to this critical healthcare issue and encourage the necessary policy changes to ensure timely and adequate cancer screening for women living with NF1.

Let’s be warriors, let’s be loud, and let’s keep fighting for awareness and early detection.

Please, sign this petition and help safeguard the health of thousands at risk.