A local breast cancer activist believes new state laws that expand breast cancer screening will make a difference for women who can't find the time or resources to get a regular mammogram.
The legislative package requires 210 hospitals and clinics across the state to expand the hours when they offer screenings.
In addition to their regular hours, facilities must add four additional hours per week, either in the morning ( 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) evening ( 5 p.m. to 7.pm.) or on the weekends.
Holly Anderson, executive director at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, hopes another measure that removes co-pays and annual deductibles for screening and diagnostic imaging will help even more women.
"I think it's very confusing. You can talk to a woman with one insurance plan who wasn't successful in getting something covered and you can talk to another woman with a seemingly identical plan, and hers wasn't covered."
Governor Cuomo's interest in expanding access to breast cancer screening is personal. His girlfriend was diagnosed with the disease last year and had a double mastectomy.
State lawmakers earlier this year agreed to dedicate $91 million in the state budget for mobile mammography vans and a public awareness campaign.
Rochester does not have a mobile mammography unit, but health care facilities operate them in Buffalo, Binghamton, Canton, Potsdam, Cooperstown, Staten Island, and Long Island.