Iowa Breast Cancer Advocacy Network

09/21/2025

07/01/2025

ALERT!
Please call or email Representatives Nunn and Miller-Meeks.
Rep. Nunn 202-225-5476 [email protected]
Rep. Miller-Meeks 202-225-6576
Tell them: PLEASE VOTE NO ON THE BUDGET BILL. IF PASSED, CANCER PATIENTS COULD HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THE TREATMENT THEY NEED, AND OTHERS COULD HAVE TO GO WITHOUT SCREENINGS THAT COULD SAVE THEIR LIVES. PLEASE PROTECT AFFORDABLE CARE FOR IOWANS.
Why? The US Senate just voted to pass its massive budget reconciliation bill. The lastest CBO analysis showed the legislation will result in 17 million people losing healthcare coverage, while raising costs for 20 million more. The updated legislation now goes back to the House of Representatives before going to the President for signing. This is our final chance to urge Republican House offices to vote NO on this devastating legislation.
We are told two Iowa House Republicans might still be persuadable. Please get the above messages in to the offices of Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks ASAP and tell them to vote NO on the budget proposal, which would devastate Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act:
Nunn (IA-03); Miller Meeks (IA-01)
Remember your action will save lives.

03/11/2025

PLEASE KEEP CALLING if you want TO END BREAST CANCER.
Rep. Miller-Meeks 202-225-6576
Rep. Hinson 202-225-2911
Rep. Nunn 202-225-5476
Rep. Feenstra 202-225-4426
"REP. __________, VOTE 'NO' FOR A LONG-TERM CONTINUING RESOLUTION. PASS THE 2025 BUDGET.''

KEEP TAKING ACTION: If Congress doesn't pass the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations bill before March 14, the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program is in danger of losing its funding. Call 202.224.3121 & urge your members of Congress to pass this bill! https://www.stopbreastcancer.org/urgent-action-needed-tell-congress-to-preserve-the-dod-breast-cancer-research-program/

01/07/2025

Our fantastic leader!

12/14/2024

All the patient advocates at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. SABCS is the world’s largest breast cancer Symposium. Many are National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Project LEAD graduates. One Iowan on the far left, top row.

10/14/2024

ALERT!
Please email, post on social media or call Senator Grassley’s office to cosponsor S.663, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act.
“We implore Senator Grassley to immediately cosponsor S.663, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act today. Don't pull the plug on us.”
Contact: [email protected]; Facebook and Twitter(X)
Following is Joy’s just published letter to the editor from the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier.
An estimated 42,250 women and 530 men will die of breast cancer in the U.S. this year. Nearly 90% of these fatalities are due to metastatic spread, with no known cure. Individuals grappling with Metastatic Breast Cancer, unable to work, are entitled to Medicare coverage under Social Security Disability Insurance. The waiting periods, totaling 2+ years, before activating this coverage are simply unjustifiable, given the average life expectancy of only three years for Metastatic Breast Cancer patients.
This urgency underscores the necessity of enacting the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 549, S. 663). This bipartisan bill, with robust congressional support, aims to eliminate these waiting periods and ensure immediate access to vital medication and supportive medical care.
Senator Ernst has stepped up as the lead Republican Senate sponsor and all of Iowa’s Representatives have signed on to the House version. It's disappointing that Senator Grassley has yet to endorse this crucial legislation.
As a woman living with Metastatic Breast Cancer, I have fearfully witnessed the devastating toll of this disease. My fellow survivors, advocates, and those yet to be diagnosed implore Senator Grassley to immediately cosponsor S. 663. Please don’t pull the plug on us.

09/24/2024

Research Study: Weight Stigma During Breast/Chest Cancer-Related Care

Researchers at the University of Southern Alabama, in collaboration with those at the University of Iowa, are conducting a research study about experiences of weight stigma during breast/chest cancer-related care.

You may qualify for the study if you:

Are between ages of 19-90 years old
Have a BMI ≥ 30
Are currently residing in the US
Able to speak and understand English

This study involves:

A brief eligibility screener
A one time, 30-45 minute interview about experiences with cancer-related care, and specifically about your perceptions of how your weight might have impacted the care you received

Participants will be compensated $25 for completion of the interview, in the form of a Tango gift card, delivered to your preferred email address.

Contact [email protected] with questions.

(Download a copy of the study flier here.)

05/22/2024

At least the Iowa Cancer Registry can still discuss Iowa's racism. So sad.

05/02/2024

On May 15th, MBCC will host Dr. Misialek for a discussion of "The Pathologist's Role in Breast Cancer Treatment." Dr. Misialek is the Associate Chair of Pathology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Medical Director of the Vernon Cancer Center, Chemistry Laboratory, and Point of Care Testing. Dr. Misialek also serves as MBCC’s Medical Advisor.

To register for this free webinar, visit:
https://mbcc.org/webinar-the-pathologists-role-in-breast-cancer-treatment/