Here is this week’s letter to the editor of the Sheboygan Press. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.
Honor Gail, make breast cancer more survivable
As a retired oncology nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how early detection can mean the difference between life and death. I’ve also seen how cost barriers prevent women from getting the screenings they need, especially those with dense breast tissue, where mammograms alone may not be enough.
That’s why I’m urging lawmakers to pass Gail’s Law, a bipartisan bill that would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for supplemental and diagnostic breast imaging. These screenings are essential for detecting cancer early, when treatment is most effective and least invasive.
Caring for women who faced late-stage diagnoses simply because they couldn’t afford follow-up imaging was heartbreaking and, unfortunately, preventable. Gail Zeamer, whom this bill honors, knew that pain too well. Even amidst her own fierce battle with breast cancer, she fought to make sure others wouldn’t face the same obstacles.
In Wisconsin, thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. When caught early, survival rates are as high as 99%. But when cancer spreads, that number drops dramatically and treatment becomes more complex and costly.
Nearly half the states have already passed similar laws. It’s time Wisconsin did the same.
Let’s honor Gail’s legacy and give women the tools they need to protect their health. Gail’s Law is compassionate, cost-effective and long overdue.
Mary Schueller, MSN, RN
Kohler
Our letters policy
Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to news@sheboyganpress.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan letter urges supporting Gail’s Law to reduce barriers to breast cancer screening
Reporting by Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
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