FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Media Contact:
Jonah Anderson
jonah.anderson@delaware.gov
WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer today joined former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Christen Linke Young, Delaware Surgeon General Dr. Neil Hockstein, Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay and ChristianaCare leaders at Wilmington Hospital to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event highlighted the importance of early detection, expanding access to affordable care and closing disparities in breast cancer outcomes across Delaware.
Governor Meyer signed a proclamation recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, honoring survivors, remembering those who have lost their lives to breast cancer and recognizing the healthcare professionals, caregivers and advocates supporting patients and their families.
“Every woman deserves high-quality, accessible care regardless of her ZIP code, income or insurance status,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Early detection is critical, but so is ensuring that once Delawareans are diagnosed, they can afford the appointments and care that follow. We’re working to remove those barriers, lower healthcare costs and make sure every Delawarean has access to the quality care they deserve.”
“Early detection could save your life,” said former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. “There’s nothing on your to-do list more important than that.”
“This year I turned 40 and I got my mammogram. I encourage others to take time to take care of themselves. I was grateful to join members of the Administration to honor the caregivers and advocates who save lives every day by promoting critical preventative care and providing comfort and support to those who need it,” said Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay. “In Delaware, we still have work to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve health equity and expanding access to screenings and lifesaving care.”
“No one should have to put off a potentially lifesaving screening because of cost, transportation or difficulty finding an appointment,” said DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young. “Through programs like Screening for Life and partnerships with health care providers across Delaware, we’re working to make breast cancer screening and treatment more accessible so more Delawareans can get the care they need, when they need it.”
“Early detection saves lives, and access to timely diagnosis and effective treatment gives patients the best chance for a successful outcome,” said Delaware Surgeon General Dr. Neil Hockstein. “Breast cancer touches nearly every family in Delaware and while we’ve made tremendous progress in screening and treatment, significant disparities remain, particularly among Black women, who continue to experience higher mortality rates. Our responsibility is to ensure that every Delawarean has access to the screening, care, and treatment they need.”
“At Christiana Care we call our patients neighbors. That’s because neighbors show up for one another, and that’s what we do,” said Jenn Schwartz, President and CEO of ChristianaCare. “We are here for our neighbors when they need an annual mammogram, when they have a question, when they’re waiting for results. And, if you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, we’re here for that too, with extraordinary physicians. Being a good neighbor isn’t just about living in the same community. It’s about being there when someone needs you, and that’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”
Nearly 5,000 Delaware women were diagnosed with breast cancer between 2018 and 2022, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the state.
Delaware’s breast cancer incidence rate ranks second nationally, and significant disparities persist, with Black women experiencing higher breast cancer mortality rates than white women.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 99% when detected before it spreads beyond the breast. That rate falls to 32% when cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, underscoring the importance of timely screening, early detection and access to treatment.
Governor Meyer highlighted Senate Bill 70, which he signed into law in August 2025. Sponsored by Senator Nicole Poore and Representative Krista Griffith, the legislation allows licensed genetic counselors to order genetic tests directly, removing anunnecessary step for patients seeking answers about inherited health risks, including breast and ovarian cancer.
Genetic counselors help patients understand their family medical histories, assess inherited risks and interpret genetic testing results. The law streamlines access to testing while maintaining requirements for referrals to physicians when medical assessment is necessary, helping patients and their healthcare teams make more informed decisions
about screening and preventive care.
The event also recognized Dr. Biden’s longstanding leadership in breast cancer awareness and women’s health. Before serving as First Lady, Dr. Biden founded the Biden Breast
Health Initiative in Delaware to educate young women about breast health and the importance of early detection. As First Lady, she championed the White House Initiative on
Women’s Health Research, bringing greater attention to gaps in research and care affecting women, as well as the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative.
The proclamation encourages Delawareans to speak with their healthcare providers about breast cancer screening, understand their family medical histories and support efforts to
ensure timely, affordable care for women and families across the state.
Photos from the event can be found here.
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