JoAnn Pushkin

Photo: 

Promo image: 

Full name: 

JoAnn Puskin

Award: 

HONORING WOMEN IN NEW YORK

Year: 

2011

District: 

District 2

JoAnn Pushkin is a breast cancer survivor who has used her personal struggle to help others ­ fight back against this deadly disease. After her diagnosis in 2005, which was originally missed because she is one of millions of women with dense breast tissue, Ms. Pushkin dedicated her time to advocate for advanced screening coverage and the disclosure of enhanced information to all women. 

Ms. Pushkin is a cofounder of D.E.N.S.E. (Density Education National Survivors’ E‑ ort), a national grassroots e‑ ort to raise awareness about breast density, and its inherent cancer risk, and is also founder of the New York chapter D.E.N.S.E. NY.

Currently, she serves as the Director of Government Relations for Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. This organization supports e‑ orts for a federal law that would provide all women in the nation who are affected by breast density with the opportunity for an early stage diagnosis.

Ms. Pushkin, a tireless advocate, continues to push for legislation that would require insurance companies in New York State to provide supplemental screenings for women with dense breast tissue. She is fighting to ensure that doctors provide vital information for women who have dense breast tissue or who are at greater risk of breast cancer.

In addition to her e‑ orts to enhance early breast cancer detection throughout the country, Ms. Pushkin is a freelance marketing consultant and a published children’s writer who is currently working on a middle grade novel.