CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA URGES BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO PRIORITIZE MULTICANCER EARLY DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR WOMEN

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led a letter to President Joe Biden urgently requesting him to prioritize multicancer early detection technologies (MCED) within the Administration's Cancer Moonshot Program and the Cancer Cabinet. This effort would help ensure women have access to more advanced, accurate, and less invasive breast cancer detection options.

"MCEDs are a more accurate and less invasive screening option for women, which also tests for more than 50 cancers, said Congresswoman Garcia. "These advancements in women's healthcare should be prioritized by the Administration so all women can access them. For years, women have relied on mammography for early detection, which is not a perfect tool. MCEDs have the potential to save women -- especially minorities and Latinas who are disproportionally affected due to healthcare barriers."

Statistics on the breast cancer disparity amongst minority women:

• Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer compared to White woman
• Hispanic women are 30% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than non-Hispanic White women

The following members signed onto the letter:

Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. NC-12
Don Bacon NE-02
Anthony G. Brown MD-04
Troy Carter LA-02
Danny K. Davis IL-07
Veronica Escobar TX-16
Mayra Flores TX-34
Josh Gottheimer NJ-05
Sara Jacobs CA-53
Eddie Bernice Johnson TX-30
Barbara Lee CA-13
Carolyn B. Maloney NY-12

James P. McGovern MA-02
Jimmy Panetta CA-20
Lucille Roybal-Allard CA-40
Elissa Slotkin MI-08
Darren Soto FL-09
Melanie Stansbury NM-01
Norma J. Torres CA-35
Ritchie Torres NY-15
Susan Wild PA-07

Read the full letter

Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and the Armed Services Committees.