FREE EARLY CANCER SCREENINGS TO BE OFFERED TO MORE WOMEN IN 2006

HARRISBURG, NOV. 30 – State Sen. Connie Williams said that Pennsylvania is stepping up its fight against cancer in 2006, through a new law that will allow more uninsured and under-insured, low-income women in their 40s to access free mammograms and cervical cancer screenings.

“Last week, the governor signed into law an important piece of legislation that will allow more women to have a fighting chance against cancer,” Williams said. “The law expands an important health program and strengthens the safety net for women who feel that they cannot afford their annual checkups.”

The new law (Act 74 of 2005), known as the Pennsylvania Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Act, would expand the state Department of Health’s Healthy Woman Project to include women between the ages of 40 and 49 who are either uninsured or under-insured and have an annual household income that is less than 250 percent of the federal poverty guideline ($23,275 annually for a family of one, $31,225 annual income for a family of two and $47,125 annual income for a family of four). Currently, the program provides free mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap smears to women who are 50 to 64 years of age and who have low to moderate income and either no insurance or limited insurance that does not cover breast and cervical cancer screening services.

“Women between the ages of 40 and 49 are among those that are at the greatest risk for breast and cervical cancer,” Williams said. “If the state can step up to the plate and provide free cancer screenings to this group, then we can have a real impact on women’s health in the state. We know that early detection improves a woman’s chance of surviving these types of cancer. More needs to be done, but this is a good start.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that women have yearly mammograms once they turn 40. Breast cancer produces more Pennsylvania female cancer cases than any other type of cancer, and is the second leading cause of female cancer death (lung cancer is the leading cause).

Services provided through the program include clinical breast examination, mammogram, pelvic exam and Pap smear, education on breast self-exam and follow-up diagnostic care for abnormal results. For information on breast and cervical cancer screening services, people may call 1-800-215-7494.

The new law takes effect on July 1, 2006.

Williams also is the prime sponsor of legislation (S.B. 263) that would create the Office of Women’s Health within the Department of Health to educate and advocate for women’s health and to serve as a clearinghouse and resource for information on women’s health data, services and programs.