Crespo Focuses on Improving Women's Health During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is spreading the word about legislation to expand access to life-saving screenings and emphasizing the importance of early detection.

"Breast cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths among Illinois women, so early detection is critical to saving lives," Crespo said. "With modern medicine, many forms of cancer are treatable if detected early, but this is only possible if patients have access to affordable testing."

To ensure cancer screenings are readily accessible, Crespo helped champion legislative measures this spring to improve health care and reduce costs to patients and taxpayers. House Bill 3673, now law, improves mammography standards, optimizes reminders for regular screenings and requires insurance policies to cover MRIs when medically necessary. Senate Bill 54, now law, requires insurers that cover mammograms also cover 3-D mammography, in order to better detect breast cancer early and save lives.

"This October, I encourage everyone in the community to work together to increase awareness of breast cancer and efforts to expand access to potentially life-saving cancer screenings," Crespo said. "Whether it is by promoting research, prevention, screenings, treatment or the search for a cure, we can all play a vital role in addressing this devastating disease."