Brandi McWade discovered an indentation on her breast and knew something was wrong. Without a job or health insurance, she turned to Planned Parenthood of Shasta Pacific's Mill Valley health center. The doctor didn't like what she saw and helped Brandi get specialized diagnostic tests.

Brandi soon learned she had Stage 2 breast cancer. She was just 27.

Just 5 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer every year are under 40, according to the American Cancer Society. But when it does occur in younger women, the cancer is often more aggressive and harder to treat. Brandi was lucky. She caught it early, and she is cancer-free today.

Women of all ages have more tools than ever to help detect breast cancer when it is most treatable. The Affordable Care Act requires preventive care - including breast health care - to be fully covered, without co-pays or deductibles. Women on new insurance plans are already receiving the benefit, and others will start getting it over the next couple of years.

Each year, Planned Parenthood health centers provide nearly 750,000 clinical breast exams. Planned Parenthood and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that most women under 40 get a clinical breast exam every one to three years and that women over 40 get them every year.

But good breast health starts even earlier - at home. Women should be aware of what their breasts normally look and feel like, and be alert for any changes.

Earlier this year, when Susan G. Komen for the Cure decided to stop partnering with Planned Parenthood to provide breast cancer education and screening for low-income women, millions of people spoke up - and thousands donated money to ensure that Planned Parenthood health centers could continue providing these services. We're proud to be partnering with Komen again.

As a result of the outpouring of public support, Planned Parenthood is expanding its breast health services to reach even more women. Planned Parenthood health centers in Northern California just received a grant to provide specialized follow-up tests needed when a patient has an abnormal clinical breast exam or screening mammogram.

As we were developing this expansion, we conducted extensive research to find out what prevents women from getting follow-up care when they notice something wrong. Cost and fear were the biggest barriers.

The Affordable Care Act is a huge step in addressing cost. We can all break through the fear by taking charge of our own health. And if you don't know where to turn, Planned Parenthood is here for you.

We can all do something: fight to protect the Affordable Care Act, schedule your regular checkup, become your own breast health expert, and ask your friend, sister or daughter when she last had a clinical breast exam.

We have more tools than ever to fight breast cancer - now we have to use them.

Cecile Richards is president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She will speak before the Commonwealth Club on Wednesday at the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., San Francisco.