Cancer can occur at any age. Early detection and prevention is the key to beating it. Mammograms should be available at any age, not just for women who are 40 years or older. Under current legislation, thousands of women could die because they are being denied this life saving medical Test.

I know this because I personally was denied a mammogram four different times, WITH a family history of breast cancer and a medically declared breast lump, at the age of 32. The result of this allowed my cancer to spread and become more aggressive and require more treatment. It almost killed me and I am still struggling with fighting it.

Younger women with breast cancer experience unique challenges. For women under 40, breast cancer is often diagnosed in its later stages, when it tends to be more aggressive. This means the survival rate is lower and the recurrence rate is higher. This is not ok.

As of January 2019, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment. Early prevention should be a choice! We are considered adults at the age of 18. We are allowed to vote, and make adult decisions. If we feel something is wrong with our own bodies, we should NOT BE DENIED the right to be heard and checked. Please join me in spreading this petition and getting it heard!!! If I can make one good thing happen out of this horrible hand I’ve been dealt, it would be to spread awareness and help save others’ lives!!