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1992.09.30 :  Grants for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

Contact:  CDC Press Office (404) 639-3286
September 30, 1992

       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today announced
awards totaling $4.5 million to 18 states for plans to carry out
breast and cervical cancer screening programs, particularly for
low-income, minority women.
       Individual awards ranging from $250,000 to $300,000 went to
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
       With these technical assistance funds, these 18 state health
departments will complete the start-up activities leading to
participation in the Centers for Disease Control's National Breast
and Cervical Cancer Screening Program -- a $50 million, first-of-
its-kind program, currently operating in 12 states.
       "More than half a million women will lose their lives to
breast and cervical cancers this decade," Dr. Sullivan said. "We
have the technology to detect these cancers in an early, curable
stage.  These federal funds will assist health departments to
develop the capacity to implement aggressive statewide screening
programs."
       "These awards provide resources and training to health
departments who would otherwise not be able to reach women in
greatest need of services," said James Mason, M.D., assistant
secretary for health and head of the Public Health Service. "Lives
can be saved."
          Health department start-up activities will include:
creation of statewide cancer control plans; formation of
public/private sector cancer coalitions; determination of needs for
public and professional education programs and assessment of the
current status of mammography and cervical cytology quality
assurance activities.
       "With these funds, a total of 30 states will be conducting
breast and cervical cancer early detection activities," said
William L. Roper, CDC director.
       CDC funds these awards under provisions of the Breast and
Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 which requires the
development of a national comprehensive screening program. Previous
awards made in 1991 and 1992, averaging $3.5 million each, went to
the states of California, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Texas and West Virginia.
       Breast cancer screening should begin at the age of 40.
Even women with no apparent breast abnormalities or symptoms should
have an annual clinical breast examination.  Mammographic screening
should be performed every one to two years.  Beginning at age 50,
both a clinical breast examination and screening mammogram should
be obtained annually.  Screening guidelines apply only to
asymptomatic women.  The frequency and type of examination for
symptomatic women will vary and should be determined by the
individual's physician.
       Additionally, all women who are or who have been sexually
active or who have reached the age of 18 should have an annual Pap 
test and pelvic examination.  After a woman has had three or more
consecutive satisfactory annual examinations, the Pap test may be
performed at the discretion of her health care provider.


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