DeKalb County Board of Health Offers Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening at No or Low Cost for Women

 If you are a woman between the ages of 40 to 64 years old living in DeKalb County with no health insurance or only making a limited income, you may be eligible to receive a breast and cervical cancer screening at no cost or at reduced cost.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer program hopes to serve 200 women by June 30^th.

WHAT SERVICES ARE OFFERED?

Provides breast cancer screening and follow-up at no or low cost for low income, uninsured women between the ages of 40-64.

Provides cervical cancer screening and diagnostic evaluation at no or low cost to low-income, uninsured women between the ages of 21- 64.

The program is part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, funded by both the State of Georgia and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WHERE:

• Eligible women can receive breast and cervical cancer screening services at four county health department locations: (Clifton Springs, East DeKalb, North DeKalb and T.O. Vinson).
• A clinic staff member can determine if women meet eligibility guidelines and provide clinical breast examinations, Pap tests and pelvic examinations.
• Clinic staff will schedule appointments for mammograms at local radiology facilities and make appropriate referrals for diagnostic work-ups when needed as well as provide additional case management.

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifies all participating mammogram facilities. All pathology laboratories meet the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) standards.
• Participating physicians and other health care facilities provide diagnostic services.

WHY:

• The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer during her life is about 1 in 8.
• Each year, more than 1,100 women will lose their lives from breast cancer and 130 from cervical cancer. A disproportionate number of deaths will be among women of minority or low-income groups.
• Regular breast cancer screening (a mammogram every one to two years for women over the age of 40) can reduce mortality by 20 to 25% over a ten year period, and yearly cervical cancer screening (via the Pap test) can prevent most cervical cancer deaths.
• When breast cancer is diagnosed and treated at the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.
• By offering appropriate cancer screening at no or low cost to Georgia women, we are helping to reduce morbidity and mortality from breast and cervical cancer.

Call the DeKalb County Board of Health at 404-294-3700 to learn more about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program in DeKalb County, Georgia.