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