Duncan Announces Expansion Of Breast Cancer Screening Program

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

mh/breastCA.pr 99-27

Contact: Mary Anderson, 301-217-1702, or
Betty Rehkemper, 301-217-1605

For Immediate Release: February 1, 1999

Duncan Announces Expansion
Of Breast Cancer Screening Program

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced an expansion of the County's Women Cancer Control program and the availability of free mammograms and clinical breast exams for low-income, uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 49. The program's expansion is the result of a new state grant, awarded to the County's Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to state funding, the program was only able to serve women 50 years of age or older.

"Early detection of breast cancer clearly results in better outcomes for women," Duncan said, "and we want to reach women with the message that lack of insurance or money should not be a deterrent to having regular breast cancer screenings."

Duncan was joined in the announcement, held at the Women's Imaging Center at Washington Adventist Hospital, by County Health Officer Dr. Carol Garvey and staff of the Department of Health and Human Services' Women's Cancer Control Program.

Each year, 3,500 women in Maryland are diagnosed with breast cancer. Recommendations from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society advise women age 40 and over to get annual mammograms and clinical breast exams.

In order to be eligible for the new program, women must be in a family with an income at that is or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($34,125 or less for a family of three). Participants must not have medical assistance or insurance coverage for breast cancer screening.

Services for eligible women are available at three locations in the County: Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Suburban Hospital and Washington Adventist Hospital. In addition to mammograms and breast exams, women also receive medical guidance, education and case management. If a problem is found and treatment is needed, women can receive services from more than two dozen surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and pharmacists in Montgomery County who are part of a state-funded program.

The state has allocated $222,000 for the program in the current fiscal year (through July 1, 1999), and County officials expect to serve 850 women by the end of June.

In addition, the Women's Cancer Control program, funded by a federal grant since 1992, offers free breast and cervical cancer screening for low income, uninsured women ages 50 and over. The program screens more than 1,100 women each year.

Women may apply for the exams by calling the Women's Cancer Control Program at (301) 217-1750. Spanish speaking applicants can call (301) 217-4549.

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