"HealthyWoman Program"

The HealthyWoman Program provides free mammograms, clinical breast examinations, education on breast self-examination, Pap tests and pelvic examinations. Services are available year-round to women aged 40-64 who are low income and have limited or no insurance. Since the program began in 1994, over 48,000 women have been screened for breast and cervical cancer. 

"67 Women - 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania"

This educational display is the result of the partnership between the Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC). The walk-through display depicts the stories of women from every county in Pennsylvania diagnosed with breast cancer. These women, both survivors and deceased, reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania and their stories reveal the emotion and impact that breast cancer has had on their lives, the lives of their families and their communities. "67 Women - 67 Counties" is displayed regularly in public sites throughout the state to increase awareness of the disease and promote the need for early detection and treatment. Sponsors within the host communities are partners with the Department and PBCC in site selection, publicity and opening activities. For more information on the exhibit, visit the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition web site.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund

In 1997, Act 7 was signed, which enabled individuals to contribute to breast and cervical cancer research by either donating a portion of their state refund or contributing directly to the Department of Health. The program has raised over 1.8 million dollars and has provided grants to nearly 40 Pennsylvania researchers at 11 institutions for peer-reviewed studies to address the incidence and mortality of breast and cervical cancer. One hundred percent of the money is distributed as grants.  To minimize the administrative cost of the program and to better position Pennsylvania researchers for national funding, Pennsylvania developed a unique approach to identifying research to fund. Only researchers who have applied for funding to national organizations (American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense, and Susan G. Komen Foundation) and had their proposals pass peer-review but not funded, are eligible for Pennsylvania research support. The funding provided through the check-off is designed to provide bridge funding to assist the researchers in addressing any concerns identified through the peer-review process. The researchers will then be able to resubmit their applications for national funding and improve their chances at being funded. View a list of Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund grant recipients.