Policy Archive
EARLY Act Brings Young Breast Cancer to Forefront
The Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009 (EARLY Act), HR 1740, was introduced by Representative Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), a breast cancer survivor who carries a BRCA2 mutation. FORCE participated in a coalition of groups providing guidance on the proposed legislation.
Passed as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, the EARLY Act authorized a nationwide awareness and support campaign for women age 45 and under, including high-risk women, breast cancer survivors, and their doctors. The law also includes broad-reaching public and healthcare professional education campaigns, prevention research, and additional support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially funded for five years, the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2014 was passed on December 28, 2014.
Since that time, the initiative has brought about a number of programs including the CDC's Bring Your Brave Campaign and Program Support for Survivor Organizations—including the FORCE XRAY Program, among other activities.
News Briefs
4/7/2025 - Joined the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research and over 500 organizations in recommending at least $51.303 billion for NIH for FY2026, in addition to support for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, representing a 9.0% increase over the final FY2025 funding level.
03/26/2025 - Urged the Senate to protect Medicaid and other critical healthcare programs as it considers the budget reconciliation and potential program cuts.
03/17/2025 - Encouraged congressional leadership to prioritize patient-centered engagement as it crafts healthcare policies in the 119th Congress and ensure that patients don't face unintended consequences due to health policy changes.
Related Resources
- BREAST CANCER EDUCATION: HHS Has Implemented Initiatives Aimed at Young Women
- Background on Breast Cancer, Rep. Wasserman Schultz's Story, and the EARLY Act
- Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, established by the EARLY Act, this committee helps the CDC develop approaches to advance understanding and awareness of breast cancer among young women. FORCE is pleased to represent the hereditary cancer community on this advisory committee.
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