Many deaths from breast and cervical cancers (which occur disproportionately among uninsured or underinsured women) can be avoided by increasing cancer screening rates among women who are at risk. Mammograms and Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are underused by women who have less than a high school education, are older, live below the poverty level, or are members of certain racial and ethnic minority groups.

Studies reveal that early detection of breast and cervical cancers saves lives. Timely mammography screening among women aged 40 or older could prevent 15-30% of all deaths from breast cancer. Detection and treatment of precancerous lesions found during a Pap test can actually prevent cervical cancer, as well as find cervical cancer at an early stage when it is most curable.

Breast Cancer Screening

• Breast cancer screening by mammography is recommended for women who are over 40 years of age or at higher risk.

• Breast cancer affects one of every eight women in their lifetime in the United States.

• Stage 1 breast cancer (early lesions, discovered by breast exam or mammography) has a 95% survival; stage IV (late stage) is incurable with current treatments.

• African American women have lower incidence of breast cancer but higher cancer specific mortality rate due to late stage diagnosis.

Cervical Cancer Screening

• Cervical cancer screening is recommended for women who are over 18 years of age or sexually active.

• The 5-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 93% for women with an initial diagnosis of localized disease. For women initially diagnosed with distant disease, the survival rate is only 13%. No woman in Louisiana should die of cervical cancer.

• Early detection using a Pap test is currently the only practical means of detecting cervical cancer in localized or premalignant stages.

• Squamous cell cervical cancer is an ideal disease for screening as it typically has a long pre-clinical phase, thereby increasing the probability of early detection.