The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program ...

(In Millions)
Percentage of women
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program Saves Lives
Celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2010, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
(NBCCEDP) has been able to provide 9.2 million free breast and cervical cancer screenings to low income, uninsured
and underinsured women. In total, the program has detected 44,885 breast cancers and 126,117 cervical cancers and
precancerous lesions, saving numerous lives.
Breast and Cervical Cancer in the United States
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer
deaths among women today.
Finding breast and cervical cancer at an early stage
increases the opportunity for effective treatment
and patient survival.
Many deaths from breast and cervical cancers
could be avoided if cancer screening rates
increased among women at risk.
Uninsured women have lower screening rates for
mammograms and pap tests, resulting in a greater
risk of being diagnosed at a later, more advanced, ,
stage of disease.
Protecting the NBCCEDP
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
85%
All Women
72%
Uninsured
Women
Pap Test within the past 3
years - Age 18-64
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
in the US, 2008
60%
All Women
36%
Uninsured
Women
Mammogram within the past
year - Age 40-64
Today, many challenges face our country. Americans are losing their jobs and their employer sponsored health insurance because
of economic factors, while simultaneously federal funds are being drastically cut in order to reduce the national debt. Protecting
programs such as the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (NBCCCEDP) are essential in providing lifesaving breast and
cervical cancer screening to those at the highest risk.
The NBCCEDP was designed to provide breast and
cervical cancer screenings to those with the highest
need: low income, uninsured, and underinsured
women. However, less than one in five eligible women
are able to get screened through the program.
Due to lack of funding, women are being put on
waiting lists, and even being turned away by clinics.
220
210
200
Federal funding for NBCCEDP has not kept pace
with inflation *
NBCCEDP is not only an important resource today,
190
195.1
but will continue to be important for women even
192.6
186.9
187.4
after the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented in
180
184.5
182.1
2014. A study conducted by the George Washington
University shows that even if the same number of 170
women are screened in 2014 as are being screened
FY '05 FY '06 FY '07 FY '08 FY '09 FY '10 FY '11
today, every eligible woman still will not be able to
Appropriated Amount
Inflation adjusted; 2005 dollars
get screened due to lack of funding.
* Inflation rates determined by the US Department of Health and Labor Statistics
These are the reasons why the American Cancer Society
Cancer Action Network SM (ACS CAN) is advocating for increased funding to support the NBCCEDP. Fiscal year (FY) 2011 saw a
$9 million reduction of funds to the program . This year, ACS CAN is urging Congress for $275 million in total program funding for
FY ‘12.
204.4
201.3
198.4
200.8
205.9
215
206

Percentage of women
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early
Detection Program Services for Missouri
Cancer Detection Program: Show Me Healthy Women
Information Line: 1-573-222-2845 | Website: health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/chronic/showmehealthywomen/
Breast and Cervical Cancer in
Missouri
In 2011, it is estimated that breast and cervical
cancer will account for 13 % of new cancer cases in
Missouri.¹
In 2011, it is estimated that 4,100 women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer and 230 will be
diagnosed with cervical cancer in Missouri.¹
1. American Cancer Society. Facts and Figures 2011.
2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures
2011.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
85%
All Women
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
in Missouri, 2008²
68%
Uninsured
Women
Pap Test within the past 3
years - Age 18-64
55%
All Women
25%
Uninsured
Women
Mammogram within the past
year - Age 40-64
Missouri’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
The Show Me Healthy Women program provides free pap tests to women aged 35 to 64 and mammograms to women
50 to 64 who are uninsured, underinsured, and have income below the 250% federal poverty line.
From 2004 to 2009, over 30,500 women in Missouri were screened by the program.
Over 28% of the women served by Show Me Healthy Women are racial/ethnic minorities. 3
From 2004 to 2009, the program detected 441 invasive breast cancers and 411 cervical cancers and precancerous
lesions in Missouri. 3
3. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Access for Women in Missouri
ACS CAN encourages states to cover uninsured and
underinsured women below 250% of the federal poverty
level (FPL) who are between 40 to 64 for mammograms,
and 18 to 64 for cervical cancer screening.
In Missouri, there are over 125,000 uninsured women
aged 40 to 64 and 277,000 women aged 18 to 64
below 250% of the FPL.⁴ Consistent funding has
helped many of these women access screening; however,
many more are still in need.
4. U.S. Census Bureau , Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic
Supplement, 2010
State Funding for Missouri
510
500
490
480
470
460
FY '09 FY '10 FY '11 FY '12 *
Appropriated Amount Inflation adjusted; 2009 dollars
* 2012 inflation rate is not yet available. Trend based on 2011 rate.
Call To Action
ACS CAN recognizes the enormous impact NBCCEDP has delivered in saving the lives of low-income,
uninsured and underinsured women. Women will still be in need of these essential screenings in
2014, making continued and enhanced funding necessary in order to provide these services for all
eligible women. Additional state and federal dollars are required to expand the capacity of the
screening program so that no woman is denied these life-saving services.
September, 2011