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In the United States, breast and cervical cancer early
detection testing is available to low-income, underserved,
underinsured, and uninsured women through the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This program was
created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in
1991. It provides screening support in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, and 12 American Indian/Alaska Native
tribes or tribal organizations.
Screening services are mainly offered through non-profit
organizations and local health clinics. Through these NBCCEDP partners,
women without health insurance, or with insurance that does not cover
these tests, can get breast and cervical cancer testing for free or at
very little cost. The NBCCEDP attempts to reach as many women in
medically underserved communities as possible, including older women,
women who are recent immigrants, and women who are members of racial
and ethnic minorities. Breast and cervical cancer screening and
diagnostic services offered include:
- clinical breast exams
- mammograms
- Pap tests
- pelvic exams
- diagnostic testing if results are abnormal
- treatment referrals
The program is administered within each state, but the CDC
provides matching funds and support to each state program. Since 1991,
the NBCCEDP program has provided more than 7.8 million screening exams
to underserved women, and diagnosed over 35,000 breast cancers, more
than 114,000 pre-cancerous cervical lesions, and over 2,100 cervical
cancers.
Each state's Department of Health has information on how to
contact the nearest program participant. For more information on this
program, please contact the CDC at 1-800-232-4636 or on the Internet at
www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.
Last Medical Review: 09/22/2009
Last Revised: 09/22/2009
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