The Polk County Health Department has received additional funding from the N.C. Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program to provide more breast screenings, mammograms, if appropriate, and cervical screenings for women 40-64 years of age who do not have insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.
If a woman qualifies for the BCCCP program and is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer after being screened in the program, she may be eligible for BCCCP Medicaid to pay for surgery and treatments if needed.
Since July 2011, the Polk County Health Department BCCCP program has screened 24 women for breast and cervical cancer. These women received breast exams, pap smears, mammograms and colposcopys when appropriate at no cost to them.
In January 2012 federal health officials with the Centers for Disease Control said fewer women were being screened for breast and cervical cancer. Screening rates for Asian and Hispanic women were especially low. Officials said early diagnosis would make a huge difference in the ability to treat cancer effectively.
Call the Polk County Health Department at 828-894-8271 to see if you qualify for this program and to make an appointment. You may call Debbie Kennedy, RN, coordinator of the program at 828-894-8271 if you have questions about the program.
– article submitted by Helen White