Aid in cancer screening: Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program filling local need

By Paula J. McGarvey for The Montana Standard - 10/09/2007

Ann Slavensky, right front, Helen Maichel and LeaAnne Dumezich look over information at the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program display at a recent talk on breast health at St. James Healthcare. Program director Renée Ashby and nurse Marcia Murja, rear, spoke briefly about the financial assistance available to eligible women in need of cancer screening and follow up care. The organization is raffling off the pink quilt displayed in the photo as a fundraiser during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. For more more information, call 497-5080. Paula J. McGarvey / For The Montana Standard

Cancer screening can saves lives, but often uninsured or underinsured women put off these potentially lifesaving tests because they feel they can’t afford it.

According to Renée Ashby, site coordinator of the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program in Butte, women have an alternative to taking chances with their breast and cervical health.

“It’s a cancer screening program,” said Ashby, who explained that the program is made available through a federally funded grant made possible through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ashby said that the CDC’s program began nationally in 1989 and has been screening women in southwest Montana since 1997. The program fills a specific niche for women who don’t have ample coverage available to them through other means.

“They cannot have Medicaid or Medicare,” said Ashby, adding that that the program specifically targets those who are uninsured or underinsured with high deductibles.

Through the program, qualified women age 50 and over can receive free regular mammograms and clinical breast exams. Participants must meet required income guidelines (see sidebar).

In addition to providing mammograms and clinical breast exams, Ashby said that the program picks up the costs of ultrasounds and biopsies if an abnormality is found.

“People shouldn’t worry about how to pay if they have a cancer diagnosis,” Ashby added.

If a cancer diagnosis is made, women without insurance who are eligible and enrolled in the program become qualified for Medicaid to cover treatment, she said.

Asbhy said that help is also available to those women falling between the ages of 40 and 49.

“We saw the need for additional funding,” said Ashby. The program relies on help from local private and business donations to help fund testing for these younger women meeting program guidelines.

Ashby said that the Safeway Corp. has been instrumental in providing funding for the local program and that collections in Anaconda and Butte stores generated more than $9,000 in donations last year.

The Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program also offers screening for cervical cancer with routine pap testing and pelvic exams. The program is free for eligible women age 30 and over who meet the program’s income guidelines and are uninsured or underinsured or have previous Pap test abnormalities, said Ashby.

For more information about the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program or to find out how to donate, call toll free at 888-803-9343 or visit the web site at www.cancer.mt.gov.

The Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program income guidelines Family Size Yearly Income 1 $20,420 2 27,380 3 34,340 4 41,300 5 48,260 6 55,220 7 62,180 8 69,140 Information provided by the Montana Breast & Cervical Health Program