New York State Surpasses National Breast Cancer Screening Goals
State Expands Access to Early Detection and Works to Address Disparities in Screening
ALBANY, N.Y. (October 22, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health today announced that New York has surpassed the national goal for breast cancer screening for the first time since 2020, marking a significant milestone in the state's efforts to promote early detection and improve health outcomes.
New data show that an estimated 81.9 percent of females aged 50-74 years are up to date with breast cancer screening recommendations, exceeding the national goal of 80.3 percent. These data, collected through the New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, validate the collective work of the Department and many statewide partners, advocates, and health care systems implementing evidence-based efforts to reduce barriers to screening, particularly in communities that have historically faced barriers accessing screening.
"This is a real public health success story," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "More New Yorkers are getting screened, and that means more cancers are being detected earlier. We're proud to surpass the national screening goal, but we know there's more work ahead to close gaps in access and advance health equity."
In 2024, Governor Hochul signed legislation expanding insurance coverage of breast cancer screening and imaging to include procedures recommended by nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines for the detection of breast cancer. The Governor has also advanced measures to ensure insurance coverage for services addressing the needs of breast cancer survivors.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among females in New York State. Each year in New York, about 17,000 females are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 2,500 die from the disease. It is estimated that one in eight females will develop breast cancer during their life. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females in New York State.
Screening Saves Lives
Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment may be more effective and before there are any signs or symptoms. Guidelines recommend that females start mammograms at age 40 and repeat at least every other year through age 74. This recommendation also includes transgender males and nonbinary people assigned female at birth. Some people may need to be screened earlier or more often. People with certain genetic markers (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2), a history of growths or lumps in the breast, or a previous breast cancer diagnosis should talk with their health care provider about when to begin screening, how often to be screened, and whether any additional screening tests are needed.
Disparities in Screening and Diagnosis
- Non-Hispanic Black females are more likely to have breast cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage and die from the disease than females from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- LGBTQ+ individuals are less often up to date with screening.
- Breast cancer screening rates among individuals enrolled in New York State Medicaid plans are lower than rates among individuals with private insurance.
New York's Efforts to Expand Access
- New York State has some of the most comprehensive laws to remove financial barriers to breast cancer screening. New Yorkers with health insurance policies covered by New York State law do not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for screening tests and diagnostic imaging. Learn more about the New York State Breast Cancer Screening Law here.
- For people without health insurance, the New York State Cancer Services Program (CSP) provides no cost breast cancer screening and follow-up tests to those who qualify. Annually, the CSP provides free mammograms to over 20,000 individuals. To find a nearby program, visit the Department's website here or call (866) 442-2262.
- Cancer treatment at no cost is available through the New York State Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program to those who qualify.
- For people who have finished breast cancer treatment and need support, New York State funds Post-Treatment Support Services for Breast Cancer Survivors in select counties.
- Beginning in 2024, New York State has been working with Medicaid Managed Care plans to promote interventions aimed at improving cancer screening rates among Medicaid Managed Care enrollees.
The New York State Cancer Consortium is a network of more than 400 members working together to reduce the burden of cancer through strategies that promote cancer prevention, education, and screening. The New York State Department of Health facilitates the Consortium through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Joining the New York State Cancer Consortium means being able to network with cancer prevention and control advocates and serve on action teams to help address many of the cancer issues that face New York.
More information on breast cancer, including symptoms, treatment and resources, can be found here.
More information about New York State cancer statistics and helpful reports can be found here.
