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HealthyWoman Program: Fast Facts |
Ø The HealthyWoman Program (HWP) began in Pennsylvania in 1993.
Ø Funded through state funds and by the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) that was established at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after the passage of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-354).
Ø The following services are provided to eligible women at no cost:
o Yearly breast mammogram
o Pelvic exam and Pap test
o Diagnostic follow up on abnormal test results
o Provide Culturally appropriate information and patient education materials
o Provide case management and referral into Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Treatment (BCCPT) Program when cancer or a pre-cancerous condition is diagnosed
o Evaluation of screening programs and identification of access to care issues
Ø 9,145 Pennsylvania women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 440 Pennsylvania women will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer (2007 projection).2
Ø 2,100 women will die from breast cancer and 140 women will die from cervical cancer (2007 projection). 2
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Opportunities for Prevention |
Ø The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends timely mammography screening among women age 40 and older to prevent a significant number of deaths from breast cancer.3
Ø Educating women on the breast and cervical cancer screening guidelines increases awareness and enables women to become more proactive.
Ø Early detection of breast cancer could potentially prevent over 2,000 deaths annually.2
Ø Papanicolaou (Pap) tests can detect cervical cancer at an early stage when it is most curable. Cervical cancer is preventable when precancerous lesions are identified on a Pap test and treated in a timely manner.
Ø A mammogram every 1-2 years can reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer about 16 percent for women 40 years of age and older.4
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Impact Across Pennsylvania |
Ø Since 1993, the HWP has screened over 66,000 women for early detection of breast and cervical cancer.1
Ø According to US Census and CDC estimates, 110,000 women are eligible for the HWP in Pennsylvania. Federal funding at this time covers the cost of screening only 6,100 women a year (8-10%).
Ø As of December 31, 2007, nearly 1,000 breast cancers and 58 invasive cervical cancers were detected due to the screenings provided by the HWP.1
References:
- HealthyWoman Program Web-based Data Management System
- Pennsylvania Department of Health. Cancer Facts and Figures, Pennsylvania 2005. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Department of Health; 2007.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Guide to Clinical Preventive
Services, 2nd Edition. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science; 1996: 105-117.
- Department of Health and Human Services. Power of Presentation. Washington, D.C., 2003
Updated 5/2008
