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Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women, exceeded only by lung cancer. About 1 in 8 (12%) women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime and an estimated 40,290 women will die from breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
This Mother’s Day, we encourage the women in our community to protect themselves by getting screened for breast and cervical cancer. Early detection of cancer is the most important step for survival.
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) at Buncombe County Health and Human Services helps to save the lives of women through early detection. The program provides free breast exams, PAP tests for cervical cancer and mammograms for qualified women who:
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are between the ages of 40 to 64 (ages of 21 to 39 may also be eligible)
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have little or no insurance, and
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meet certain eligibility requirements
One example of someone who may meet eligibility requirements includes a woman in a family of four with a yearly gross household income of $59,625.
This past year, 1,238 women enrolled in the BCCCP program in Buncombe County. Of those women, nine were diagnosed with breast cancer and 16 were diagnosed with cervical cancer. In the event cancer is diagnosed, women who enter BCCCP may qualify for the Medicaid Treatment Act which would provide full Medicaid benefits for the duration of the cancer treatment.
“We have ladies who get diagnosed with cancer tell us that if it wasn’t for BCCCP, they wouldn’t be able to get treatment because they can’t pay,” said Wanda Anderson, office assistant for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. “We want every woman who may be eligible to call us. This is the best gift you can give your mother, your aunt or any woman in your family for Mother’s Day.”
One BCCCP participant said she didn’t meet the requirements for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid and that without the BCCCP program, she wouldn't have had care.
“Your program and staff saved my life. Not only have they kept up with me, made appointments for me, and are always pleasant but are hopeful when sometimes I haven't had much hope,” she said. “This program and staff’s dedication and care for me has meant more than I can ever adequately express in words and makes a difference in the lives of those in the community.”
BCCCP eligible women may also be eligible for WISEWOMAN Program which provides cardiovascular disease screenings, helps women improve their diet, physical activity, and other life habits to prevent, delay, or control cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.
Each year, BCCCP provides services to over 12,000 women in North Carolina. Approximately 102 local health agencies work in cooperation with physicians, hospitals and other health care facilities to provide services to eligible North Carolina women.
We encourage the women in our community to take care of themselves and those they love by scheduling a breast and cervical cancer exam with their health care provider or local health department.
To find out more information, visit www.buncombecounty.org/health or call (828) 250-6006.