Senator Young Secures $400,000 for Cancer Services Programs in 57th Senate District

Albany, NY – With Breast Cancer Awareness Month shining a light on the importance of education and early detection, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – 57^th District) announced that she has secured state budget funding to help enhance outreach and access to breast cancer screening and support services for residents of the 57^th Senate District.

Senator Young secured $200,000 in state funding for the designated Cancer Services Programs (CSPs) that serve the residents of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Livingston Counties.  This funding will supplement their existing state appropriations. CSPs provide cancer prevention, education and screening programs for uninsured and underinsured residents. Covered services are offered by local health care providers and include clinical breast exams and mammograms, colon cancer screenings, and pap tests.  Clients receiving positive screening tests are referred for treatment and may be enrolled in the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program for coverage of their care. 

“With one in eight women in our country diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime, we all know someone who has fought a battle with this devastating disease. However, the good news is that early detection saves lives,” said Senator Young.

“Lack of insurance or ability to pay should never be a barrier to mammogram screenings which can find tumors when they are still small and treatable. Thanks to New York’s Cancer Services Programs, no one has to go without access to these potentially lifesaving tests. Our most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer are education and early detection, which is why it was a priority for me to secure additional funding for our area’s CSPs. In a rural area like ours, the need for these services is particularly acute.” 

“We are grateful for the additional state funding to bring more breast cancer services to our rural population,” said Sherry DeGaetano, program coordinator for the Cancers Services Program (CSP) of Steuben, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. “Being diagnosed with cancer can be an overwhelming experience, and state-supported programs like CSP provide essential screening resources, information, and education to help patients who would not otherwise receive these services and helps them navigate the journey and make informed decisions about their health.”

In 2017, funding was cut statewide to New York State’s Cancer Services Programs by approximately 20 percent from $25.3 to $19.8 million as part of a move towards consolidating resources. Although the Senate fought to restore the cuts by including full funding in its own budget resolution, the restorations were blocked in the final enacted 2017-18 budget. The reductions were felt more sharply in rural communities where lack of access and lower incomes create more demand for these services. In response, Senator Young fought for an additional $200,000 for her district in the 2018-19 state budget to mitigate the effects of the overall funding reduction.

Dr. Kevin Watkins, Public Health Director for Cattaraugus County, said, “The need for the Cancer Services Program cannot be understated and the value of the program is just unmeasurable. Screening saves lives and early detection reduces the likelihood that the cancer will spread. Cattaraugus County is just thrilled that Senator Young was able to secure funding for this valuable program, she has always been in the trenches fighting for resources to bring back to our community, what a great asset we have in the State Senate.”

“Despite a significant decline in uninsured persons since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, there are still many people in Chautauqua County who greatly benefit from and rely on the Cancer Services Program- our thriving Amish population is a prime example. Without financial support from CSP, many Amish women and men would not seek out preventative, life-saving cancer screenings,” said Christine Schuyler, Director of the Chautauqua County Health Department.

Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester

Senator Young also joined with fellow state Senators to secure a $200,000 grant to assist the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR), which provides outreach and support to those impacted by breast cancer. The organization serves a 10-county region, which includes Livingston County, a portion of which is in the 57^th Senate District. The funding was a component of $1.8 million for cancer services included in a five million dollar Senate-led budget resolution dedicated to supporting women’s health initiatives.

Currently, the BCCR is the only full scope, community-based breast cancer organization between Albany and Buffalo. Its mission is to provide a range of free, supportive programs and services to breast cancer patients and their families and to benefit the community at large through education and advocacy. The organization also funds breast cancer research that focuses on cause, prevention, and halting progression of the disease. 

“Since 1997, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester has been a trusted ally in the drive to combat breast cancer and a source of support, guidance and information for tens of thousands of women, men and their families. The team at BCCR bring passion and expertise to their work and are a lifeline for those impacted by this illness. They help countless patients become survivors. Making sure they have the resources they need to continue their lifesaving work is a priority," said Senator Young.

Information on cancer screening opportunities is available through the NYS Department of Health at www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/screening.

Information on the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester’s support services is available https://bccr.org/ or by calling 585-473-7689.