Breast, Cervical & Colon Health Program
Early detection is the best way to combat breast, cervical and colon cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
- In 2007, 202,964 women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the United States and 40,598 women died from breast cancer (according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Amercian Cancer Society recommends annual screening Mammography beginning at age 40. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
- Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the United States.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
If you are a women who is 40 to 64 years of age, with limited income and no health insurance, you may qualify for a women's health exam and mamogram. Call Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at (253) 798-6410 and ask for the Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program to see if you qualify.
The exam may include a clinical breast exam, pelvic exam, Pap test and a coupon to receive a free mammogram. Limited funds are available for diagnostic tests to assist women who have abnormalities that are found in the screening. The aim of this program is to detect breast and cervical cancer at an early stage.
Women who do not go for regular screenings are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of breast cancer or cervical cancer. If you put off your exam because you are low income or have no health insurance, please call to see if you qualify.
Colon Cancer Screening
With regular colon health screening beginning at age 50, you could save your life. Colon cancer begins as a growth that is not yet cancer. By the time you feel symtoms, colon cancer may have advanced. Colon screening can find and remove a growth, called a polyp, before it develops into cancer. Only screening can detect it early. People who eat mostly high fat food, are overweight, are smokers and do not exercise have an increase risk of colon cancer. The Colon Cancer Alliance can offer more information about colon cancer.
We provide free colon cancer screening services for both men and women age 50-64 years of age, who meet eligibility requirements. This program is for asymptomatic men and women with limited income and no insurance.
HPV Vaccination Can Prevent Cervical Cancer
Almost all cervical cancer is caused by human papilomavirus (also known as HPV). HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection, infecting more than half of sexually active men and women at some point in their lives. Most people infected with HPV do not have any symptoms, and most HPV infections go away on their own. However, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, and is linked to less common cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and head and neck (tongue, tonsils and throat).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that girls and young women from age 9-26 are vaccinated against HPV. The Vaccine for Children (VFC) program may cover the cost of the vaccination against HPV. Contact your healthcare provider or Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department immunization program to learn about how your adolescent can be vaccinated against HPV.
CDC has more information about What is HPV and the HPV vaccine.
Other Cancer Resources
