CSHD Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

The program's Goals

A high percentage of Virginia's poor, elderly and minority women lack access to early detection services. These women are the primary audience of our program. Our goal is to increase access to screening for women age 40 and older, especially those in minority and low-income groups.

Laying the Groundwork

In 1995, BCCEDP project coordinators completed a needs assessment involving 101 communities across Virginia . The data collected rendered a picture of the breast and cervical cancer detection and education resources available and the health behaviors practiced by women in each locality. Collectively the data produced a profile of the Commonwealth that was used to develop an operational plan submitted to the Centers for Disease Control. The application was successful and the Virginia Department of Health began Every Woman's Life - a breast and cervical cancer screening program. The Central Shenandoah Health District partners with VaLiance Health to bring Every Woman's Life to women in the Shenandoah Valley.

Health Professional Benefit Too

While the program is geared to improve the peace of mind and quality of life for its primary audience, Virginia's health care community also reaps substantial satisfaction from its involvement in the effort. For example, the program:

• Unifies Virginia's health care professionals in a massive attack on two vicious health threats.
• Provides physicians with a low-cost referral option for their high-risk patients.
• Affords physicians another opportunity to detect two life-threatening cancers in their early stages.
• Increases the volume of patients to be screened thus making full use of costly diagnostic equipment.

Significant Public Health Problems

There's no question that breast and cervical cancers are significant public health problems in Virginia.

• During 2009 an estimated 40,170 American women will die of Breast Cancer and 192,370 will be diagnosed
• It is estimated that 4,850 diagnoses and 1.140 deaths from breast cancer will occur in Virginia in 2009.
• In Virginia breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women after lung and bronchus.

These Deaths can be Reduced

These are frustrating statistics, especially in the light of technological advances in mammography and cervical cytology.

• A mammogram is the single most effective method of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages.
• A mammogram will detect 80-90% of breast cancers in women without symptoms.
• Cervical cancer deaths have fallen 75% in the U.S. since the Pap test was introduced in the 1950s.

The Central Shenandoah Health District works with Valiance Health, LLC to offer Every Woman's Life to women in Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockingham, and Rockbridge counties and the cities of Staunton, Lexington, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, and Buena Vista. Every Woman's Life is a program of the Virginia Department of Health that seeks to enroll women for FREE breast and cervical examination and screening.

Breast Health Coalition of the Valley in Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro an organization that meets quarterly to plan and present:
WOMEN-REACHING-WOMEN
FREE programs that raise awareness and educate the public about breast and cervical health and screening. Call 540-949-0137 ext 117 to schedule.

The Breast Health Coalition of Harrisonburg-Rockingham meets monthly to plan and present public education programs. The annual Fall FORUM features a guest speaker and a panel of local people affected by breast cancer.

For information about the Harrisonburg Coalition, call (540) 433-5292, ext. 33.

For More Information About Breast & Cervical Health

www.cancer.org
www.breastcancerinfo.com
www.nabco.org
www.cancer.gov
www.y-me.org

These links, plus many other sources provide valuable information about breast and cervical screening.

Eligibility Criteria
Virginia Resident, 40+ years old
No health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid
Household Income up to 200% FP

Services Offered
* Free breast and pelvic exam
* Free Mammogram, Pap Test
* Referral to Medicaid if diagnosed with Cancer

For more information about Every Woman's Life in the Shenandoah Valley call Case Manager   (540) 433-5292, ext. 33 . To find other programs across Virginia call Virginia Department of Health, Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program -  804-786-7569 or www.vahealth.org/breastcancer

In partnership with WHSV-TV3, Harrisonburg , Virginia The Breast Health Coalition produces

"You & Me on 3". This program features information on breast health and is aired in the noon news segment on the Monday closest to the third of the month. In addition, viewers are encouraged to

choose a friend and agree to remind one another on the 3rd to have a breast exam, do a self breast exam and have a mammogram …….routinely ! Throughout the month, TV-3 spokeswoman, Rachel DiPompa, reminds women how important early detection can be.