COLUMBIA, SC – June 14, 2017 – Funding for two programs critical to addressing South Carolina’s cancer burden has been included in the state budget signed by Gov. Henry McMaster earlier this week.
The Best Chance Network (BCN), which provides free screenings to eligible women aged 30 to 64 who are uninsured or underinsured, was included for $500,000 in recurring funding in the budget approved by the Budget Conference Committee. Likewise, $500,000 in recurring funding was included for the Center for Colorectal Cancer Research (CCCR), which provides screenings for uninsured and medically underserved in South Carolina.
“We are pleased funding has been approved for these two programs, which have proven track records for fighting cancer,” said Beth Johnson, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in South Carolina. “By making the funding recurring, the legislature has helped to provide these programs with more stability for developing long-range plans to best serve the people of our state.”
South Carolina’s BCN was first funded by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 1991 through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, a grant funded program awarded to and administered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). In 1995, DHEC entered a public/private partnership with the American Cancer Society for service coordination, professional development and public education and outreach. To date, the Best Chance Network has helped detect 1,373 invasive breast cancers, 804 cervical cancers and 2,717 cervical precancerous lesions and 452 Pre-invasive breast cancers.
“Early detection is key to the successful identification and treatment of cancer. We are proud of the continued progress in the fight to provide women across our state with vital lifesaving services,” said Catherine E. Heigel, director of DHEC.
The Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN), was established in 2008 by the Center for Colon Cancer Research at the University of South Carolina. Through education, awareness and outreach the CCPN strives to reduce Colorectal Cancer incidence and mortality in our State. In addition, the CCPN provides screening services for uninsured and medically underserved South Carolinian's thereby addressing barriers to care and reducing healthcare cost to our State. In 2016, the CCPN provided colorectal cancer screening to 582 uninsured individuals, which contributed to the removal of precancerous/cancerous lesions in 37% of the cases
According to the American Cancer Society, 4,460 South Carolina women will be diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer in 2017. And, 2,270 men and women in the state are projected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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