Erlanger Health System’s Well-Women Early Detection Program is expanding breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for qualified patients now through December 2021.
In partnership with the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Program, Erlanger created the Well-Woman Early Detection Program in 2019. The program provides qualified patients with free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services in an effort to detect and treat women’s health issues early. For the remainder of calendar year 2021, the program is offering the following expanded screening services:
• Previously, Erlanger offered screening mammograms for average risk women every other year. Now through December 2021, Erlanger is offering annual screening mammograms for eligible individuals.
• Prior to January 2021, Erlanger offered three to five-year cervical cancer screenings for women aged 40-64. Now through December 2021, Erlanger is offering cervical cancer screening for women aged 25-64.
To qualify for the program now through December 2021, a woman must be a Tennessee resident, meet specific income requirements, be uninsured (or have insurance that does not cover mammograms or PAP tests) and be between the ages of 40 and 64 for mammograms and 25 years or older for PAP tests.
According to The Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program, over 5,000 women in the Chattanooga area qualified for care and a little more than 700 participated in Erlanger’s Well-Woman Program in 2019 to 2020.
“Early detection for any type of cancer is incredibly important,” said Erlanger Breast Health Nurse Navigator Katie Viola. “The earlier we can detect breast or cervical cancer, the better chance we have to treat it. Our program is grateful to the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Program for giving us the opportunity to expand these detection services at Erlanger and offer them to more women in the region.”
Officials said,"Three out of four women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Mammograms have been shown to help reduce breast mortality in the United States by 40 percent since 1990. Cervical cancer is highly treatable if found early. Studies show 50 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a PAP test."
As a screening provider for Tennessee Breast and Cervical Program, Erlanger Health System offers screening and diagnostic services at Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital, Erlanger North Hospital, Erlanger Baroness Hospital and Erlanger East Hospital. For more information on the program, visit erlanger.org/wellwoman. For qualifying information or to schedule an appointment, call Erlanger’s Cancer Support Services at 423-778-6357 or 423-778-8999.