Buncombe County Health Center - Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program

Every twelve minutes a woman in America dies of Breast Cancer

North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

About 212,920 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2006. About 40,970 women will die from the disease this year. Right now there are slightly over 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated for breast cancer. (American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org)

The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be about 9,710 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in the US in 2006. About 3,700 women will die from this disease. Some researchers think that non-invasive cervical cancer is about 4 times as common as the invasive type. When found and treated early, cervical cancer often can be cured. (www.cancer.org)

The Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program at the Buncombe County Health Department help save the lives of women through early detection. This program provides women between the ages of 40 to 64, who have little or no insurance and meet financial requirements, with free examinations. Other women ages 18 to 39 may also be eligible.

At Buncombe County Health Center we make it easy to get the quality care that you need. We will provide referrals and follow up appointments with qualified professionals.

Did you know Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer. Stroke is No. 3 and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Nearly 1 in 5 cardiovascular disease deaths among North Carolinians occur among those younger than 65.

This year, more than 100,000 U.S. women under 65 will have a stroke. Stroke is not a geriatric disease. And it's not confined to elderly, overweight, smokers who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

One in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, AND 30% of people with high blood pressure don't even know they have it! ©2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

The Wise Woman Program provides women with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to improve their diet, physical activity and other life habits to prevent, delay, or control cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. Your lifestyle is your best defense against cardiovascular disease. You annual checkup is a part of this defense.

If you qualify for the BCCCP program and are 40-64, you also qualify for the Wise Woman program. The goal of WW is to help you improve your health and reduce your chances of heart disease for a long, active life through testing, education and counseling. We check your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and educate you on ways to improve your cardiovascular health.