Did you know that there is a genetic test that can help people find out if their family history of breast cancer may be due to a genetic mutation?

Unfortunately, if you are tested - and your results are positive - there are very few federal protections preventing insurance companies from denying you coverage due to your genetic condition. This has led many to forgo testing, denying them important information that could help them manage their health and the health of their families.
 
But there is something we can do to change this! The Senate is debating a bill called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which would make it illegal to discriminate based on genetic information.

Click here to urge your Senator to support fair access to preventative treatments!

Preventing these protections could cost lives - lives of real people like Bridget Mooney.

Bridget Mooney graduated in 2005 with a degree in International Relations from Boston University. But just one week after her graduation, Bridget was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was only 21 and had no family history of the disease.

For nearly six months, Bridget was told by several doctors not to worry about the lump in her left breast, and was not sent for a mammogram. Bridget was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Her doctors were not optimistic about her chances of survival, but she had a good response to chemotherapy and has now been cancer-free for over a year. Bridget is still in treatment - she goes every three weeks for chemotherapy, and will have to for the rest of her life.

Bridget's fight against cancer is inspirational, but sadly because of the potential discrimination from insurers or employers, she is reluctant to take more pro-active measures to learn more about her cancer that might help her family:

"Breast cancer in someone my age suggests a genetic mutation, but I did not get a genetic test. I am afraid of being discriminated against by a future employer or when I try to get health insurance if I test positive for a genetic mutation. There are currently not enough rules and safeguards to protect patient information. I already cannot get life insurance because I am a breast cancer survivor," said Bridget. "My mom has not had cancer. I want my mom to know about her own breast cancer risk, but I don't want to get a genetic test because I worry that my mom and my cousins may face discrimination. By not getting the test, my family doesn't have important genetic information which would empower them. I hope one day my family members will feel free to take any steps possible to avoid developing breast cancer themselves."

Send a message today to your Senators telling them we need protections for people like Bridget Mooney.
 
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act last year. If this bill passes the Senate, we will have a great opportunity to promote personalized medicine and the use of genetic information in healthcare. This will lead to better research and development for new targeted drugs and treatments, which will save lives. Don't delay! Join Bridget in the fight to protect the futures of other young women by urging your Senators to pass GINA.

Thank you for joining us on this important issue. Together we can end breast cancer forever.

Sincerely,

Diane Balma
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance

Adapted from a Susan G. Komen Advocacy Alert

Related: Don King Partners With Susan G. Komen Foundation

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