In 2019, 42,000 women died as a result of breast cancer and 4,207 women lost their lives to cervical cancer in the United States of America. Early detection screening programs have been shown to prevent nearly all cervical cancer deaths and decrease instances of deaths as a result of breast cancer by 16%. It is recommended that women undergo breast cancer screenings, beginning at age 40, every two years, and cervical cancer screenings, beginning at age 25, every three years. By getting screened life can be extended and health improved.

*These are general guidelines, but we encourage you to check with your medical provider to determine what are the best ways to meet your individual health needs*

The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) offers screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to women in all 50 states. They serve those between the ages of 40 to 64 for their breast cancer screenings and 21 to 64 for their cervical cancer screenings. Since its formation in 1991, they have provided more than 15 million screenings and diagnosed more than 75,000 cases of cervical and breast cancer. The organization also offers evaluation, public and provider education, outreach, patient navigation/case management, follow-up, and quality assurance. There are more than 5.7 million low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women in the United States who are eligible for the services which NBCCEDP provides, and the organization’s connections make it well equipt for implementing interventions in increasing screening rates among those who are most vulnerable.

For additional information visit https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/ (website).