U.S. Lawmakers Ask CDC to Address Decline in Breast Cancer Screenings, a Critical Step When it Comes to Catching the Disease Early. Don't Skip Them

"We write to inquire about the CDC's actions to date in response to this concerning trend," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, according to USA TODAY.

Some notable lawmakers with their own history of cancer were among the 40 to sign the letter to the CDC, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago and underwent a double mastectomy. In addition, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, introduced legislation with the goal of increasing the number of screenings and the access women have to various preventive care measures.

"Early detection, more than anything, saves lives,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Any decline in breast cancer screenings means more suffering and heartache for the women and families who battle this deadly disease, and tragically dwindling mammography rates means more of them will die.”

Related: Nearly 10 Million Cancer Screenings Were Skipped During COVID-19, New Data Indicates; Don't Miss These Life-Saving Resources

Cancer Screenings Are Critical

When it comes to catching a cancer diagnosis early, screenings are a critical step in the process. By attending screenings regularly, doctors can check for signs of cancer in the earliest stages. This leads to more treatment options and a higher likelihood of entering remission.

It is Important to Continue Screenings Through COVID-19

Screening recommendations can vary depending on the type of cancer, and your risk factors, so it's important to pay attention to guidelines. For example, guidelines recommend that women with an average risk of breast cancer have an annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54.

“We know that cancer prevention works, and what we don’t want is a huge fallout because of COVID that patients are so afraid to leave their home that they’re missing their most important tests, like their screening mammogram,” Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist specializing in treating breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet.

As you can see, it's extremely important to both pay attention to these guidelines but also push for check-ups if you feel that something is wrong with your body.

Related: Cancer Screenings Dropped a Whopping 95% During the COVID Pandemic, National Cancer Institute Director Says; Why Cancer Screenings Are Critical

Decline in Screenings Due to Covid

Covid wreaked havoc on literally everything, including doctor visits. People were scared of catching the virus, especially at the height of the pandemic, so they canceled or postponed their routine doctor visits and check-ups.

In fact, during an event that The Washington Post hosted in June, Dr. Norman "Ned" Sharpless, director of the National Cancer Institute, said there was a 95% decline in various kinds of cancer screenings, including mammography, Pap smears, as well as screenings for lung and colon cancer. Sharpless compared that to his initial "worst case assumptions," such as a 75% decrease in mammograms.

In addition, NCI predicts that over the course of the next decade, about 10,000 excess deaths will occur from breast and colon cancer in the United States alone as a result of pandemic-related delays in screening and treatment.

Related: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings Dropped 87% and 84% Respectively During the Height of the Pandemic; Why it is Imperative to Get Back on Track

The letter lawmakers sent also includes data from the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, which found that breast cancer screenings declined significantly among communities of color 84% among Hispanic women and 98% among American Indian and Alaskan Native women.

Screenings for breast and cervical cancer among all women dropped 87% and 84%, respectively, during the height of the pandemic.

"It is clear that the pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on women, forcing many of them to leave jobs to care for children and family members, and forego routine health screenings, such as those for breast cancer," the letter reads. "Preventative health screenings were reduced due to screening site closures, temporary suspension of breast cancer screening services, and health departments shifting resources to fight COVID-19, as well as families needing to stay home to tend to their own health and safety."

Contributing: Chris Spargo

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