North Carolina's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
North Carolina's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
The 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes or other locations is 98%. This is promising, but it is important that women get screenings to detect cancer early.
The American Cancer Society together with volunteers and supporters has called upon our federal, state and local governments to join us in this battle.
Currently there is a federally funded program in place called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program which provides low-income, uninsured and underinsured women access to lifesaving breast cancer screening and follow-up services.
Although this is a life-saving program, Congress has only provided enough funding for one in every five eligible women to receive these screenings – what about the other four?
In addition to this federal program, currently North Carolina hosts a Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. During the 2007 legislative session an additional $2 million dollars was secured to expand the program in our state allowing 8,000 additional women to be served. Unfortunately, this funding was recently cut.