Breast cancer affects 122.8 per 100,000 females annually and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths statewide and nationally. (Leah Small/Virginia Mercury)
As CEO of a reproductive health organization and grandmother, I’ve spent decades fighting for women’s health, including breast cancer care. It’s not just my job; it’s my passion. Making sure patients get the care they need is always on my mind.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on early detection and treatment. But, in Indiana—where a near-total abortion ban is in effect — the landscape for women’s health has shifted dangerously. Breast cancer, the most common cancer for Indiana women, claims far too many lives, and these bans are putting patients at risk by disrupting essential care services.
Picture this: Sarah, a working mother of two in rural Indiana, has barely a moment to herself. Between getting her kids to school, managing a demanding job, and looking after her aging parents, health care often falls to the bottom of her to-do list. She knows she’s overdue for a breast cancer screening, but finding a local provider isn’t easy. Many clinics have closed due to abortion restrictions, staff shortages, financial pressures, and an overall hostile environment for medical providers so the few remaining health care clinics are overwhelmed. Scheduling time off work, arranging childcare, and driving long distances just to get a screening feels almost impossible—putting her health at unnecessary risk.
Sarah could be you, your sister, friend, or neighbor. Breast cancer affects 122.8 per 100,000 females annually and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths statewide and nationally. In 2019, 5,108 women in Indiana were diagnosed. While white women have a higher rate of diagnosis, Black women are more likely to die from the disease, often facing later stage diagnosis and more aggressive forms. The American Cancer Society links the disparity to structural racism, limiting access to timely prevention, detection, and treatment, worsened by clinic closures.
Abortion ban impacts
One in 3 oncology fellows surveyed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology says abortion restrictions hurt cancer care, and more than half of fellows said they are likely to consider the impact of abortion restrictions on care when deciding where to practice. Although many states like Indiana allow exceptions when the termination of a pregnancy is necessary to protect the life of the pregnant patient, the rules on how to apply these exceptions are unclear. In Ohio, two cancer patients were denied treatment until terminating their pregnancies under the state’s 6-week ban, forcing them to seek care out of state. As these bans persist, more Hoosiers will face similar situations—many of which may go unseen.
Early detection through routine screenings plays a critical role in improving survival rates, as 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. But when health centers are forced to close, those lifesaving screenings disappear too.
Since the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, at least 66 clinics across 15 states have stopped offering abortion services, and many have closed entirely, which means the additional annual wellness exams and comprehensive reproductive care services are no longer provided either. States enforcing total abortion bans, such as Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, have seen nearly all their abortion clinics either close or shift services. This forces patients to travel long distances, often at great personal cost, to seek care elsewhere.
Indiana facts
Indiana has a growing number of “obstetric deserts,” with 37 counties lacking inpatient delivery services. The state’s new abortion ban has also led to a decline in OBGYN residency applications, potentially worsening the shortage of maternal care providers. A patient in Northern Indiana died last year from an ectopic pregnancy because there was no ob-gyn to treat her. Delayed care, whether a delayed diagnosis or an additional day’s drive, will continue to impact patient lives.
Patients, providers, literally no one would prefer a politician make a medical decision over the advice of their physician – yet here we are.
I can’t say this enough: Breast cancer screenings are critical for early detection and saving lives. Planned Parenthood plays a vital role by offering these screenings during wellness exams and anytime a patient expresses concern. With fewer providers available, everyone must stay proactive about their health. If you have concerns about your breast health, don’t wait—schedule a screening with your provider today.
Let’s honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month by supporting comprehensive care—not just for some women, but for all of us. Our health depends on it.
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