ACS CAN Rhode Island

Speaker @JoeShekarchi, @MiaForRep, and @tanzister attended this morning's @ACSCANRI Research Breakfast. This year's event focused on breast cancer, the most common cancer in women in the United States, and which accounts for about 1 in 3 of all new female cancers each year. Throughout the event, ACS CAN highlighted research happening in the Ocean State, discussed existing gaps in screening and care, and debated policy solutions to ease the burden of breast cancer for Rhode Islanders.

@RICurrent: Breast cancer is among the most common cancer diagnoses in Rhode Island, making up about 13% of diagnoses each year as well as 7% of all cancer deaths. Early detection can make a difference. @Kathy35SK is sponsoring a bill that she hopes will make mammograms, which can help with early detection, more accessible and affordable by prohibiting insurers from levying out-of-pocket costs for the diagnostic tests. “Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and leading killer of Black women,” Fogarty said. “Despite a lower incidence rate, Black women have a 38% higher mortality rate than white women, which I think is just disgraceful. So we really need to help out all women.” According to the state health department, more than 91% of women diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time live at least five years after being diagnosed. Fogarty knows firsthand the value of early detection. “I will share with you that I was just diagnosed with early uterine cancer, and I am actually going in tomorrow for surgery,” Fogarty told the crowd gathered in the State House Library on Tuesday. “So when doctors tell you, if you have any bleeding in your postmenopausal, make sure you go back to your doctor, because that’s what I did.” Fogarty shared her experiences as a featured speaker at the @ACSCANRI advocacy day at the statehouse. Full story: rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/…