Early detection and diagnosis of any disease is important. The same is true of Alzheimer’s disease. We are at a “Mammogram Moment.”
Brain changes due to Alzheimer’s disease may begin as early as 20 years prior to the onset of symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss. Over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and the prevalence of this devastating disease will continue to rise significantly in the coming decades.
In Maine, close to 11% of the adult population live with Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, fewer than 10% of people living with mild cognitive impairment ever receive a diagnosis, meaning most people are not identified early enough to benefit from today’s FDA-approved treatments. There is also a public health impact.
More than 11 million Americans provide their unpaid care and the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total more than $360 billion, increasing to nearly $1 trillion by mid-century. Early detection provides opportunities for families to access support services and make informed decisions about care.
When Alzheimer’s treatments begin at the initial onset of mild cognitive impairment, people see the greatest benefit. Nearly 4 in 5 say they would want to know their Alzheimer’s diagnosis while symptoms are still mild or before symptoms appear at all.
The good news is that researchers have developed blood tests that can detect the biological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s through a simpler, more scalable approach than previous diagnostic pathways.
The problem is that Medicare is prohibited from covering screening tests unless Congress permits it to do so. The bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, led by Senator Collins and supported by Representative Pingree, ensures people benefit from this scientific milestone by permitting Medicare to cover such tests once approved by the FDA.
More than 9 in 10 Americans polled say they would want a simple test to allow for early treatment. By facilitating earlier intervention, the ASAP Act could improve outcomes and reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s on patients, families and the healthcare system.
When Congress enabled Medicare coverage for routine mammograms, screening rates soared, and breast cancer deaths dropped significantly. That early investment led to earlier detection, better outcomes and improved quality of life.
With the help of Congress, a similar breakthrough is on the horizon for Alzheimer’s. This “mammogram moment” is an opportunity to make early detection and intervention the standard of care for Alzheimer’s just like it is for all other major diseases.
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act and for more information about Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Association. A free 24/7 Helpline is available providing access to many resources: 800-272-3900 or visit https://www.alz.org/ to explore many educational programs. Statistics for this article came from the ASAP website.