Insurance companies will now be require💛d to provide mammogram screenings for individuals ages 35 and up, under a new law approved by Gov.🤡 Andrew Cuomo on Friday.
New York’s insurance law currently covers breast cancer screenings for men and women ages 40 and up, but “Shannon’s Law” lower﷽s the threshold to 35.
One in 227 women between the ages of 30 and 40 are diagnosed w🌊ith breast cancer in the United States, according to data, and over 12,000 cases are detected in women under 40 every year.
The bill was named in༒ honor of Shannon 𝔍Saturno of Babylon, Long Island, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 28 while pregnant with her daughter, Siena Hope.
Saturno lost her battle in 2016, at age 32.
The bill covers all genders🦂. State Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Suffolk), a bill sponsor, points out that the disease affects men and women alike.
“I strongly believe in the importance of early detection, and it is imperative that individuals under 40 have access to annual mammograms when deemed medically necessary,” said Martinez.
“With 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, the enactment of this bill is critical to enabling early detection and saving lives.”
Cuomo added, “We know that with cancer diagnoses, early detection is the best possible treatment. This administration has taken and will continue to take aggressive action to break down any barriers to breast cancer screenings for women across the state.
“By signing this legislation, we are taking another step to break down barriers to breast cancer screening and improve access to health care for all women in New York.”
The legislation becomes law in 30 days.