Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program Services

With the medical advances that have been made to increase the opportunity for the early detection of breast and cervical cancers, there has never been a better opportunity for women to proactively seek preventive health screenings to build a personal health history with their primary care or women’s health provider.  

The West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, known as WVBCCSP, is a comprehensive public health program that helps uninsured or underinsured women gain access to important breast and cervical cancer screening services.   

The mission of WVBCCSP is the prevent unnecessary disease, disability, and premature death of women due to cancer of the breast and/or cervix. 

Southern West Virginia Health System is proud to both partner with WVBCCSP and provide access for those who qualify to this critical and necessary program in the communities we serve. 

This program is important to women in West Virginia because it provides access to care for: 

  • Clinical Breast Examinations (CBEs) 
  • Mammograms 
  • Pap Smear  
  • Diagnostic testing for women whose screening outcome is abnormal 

What is the eligibility process/who is eligible for the WVBCCSP? 

To qualify for the WVBCCSP, you must be: 

  • A West Virginia resident 
  • Be female or transgender male who has not undergone total hysterectomy or who has not undergone bilateral mastectomy, or transgender female who has taken or is taking hormone therapy 
  • Between the age range of 21-64 years of age for cervical cancer screening services 
  • Between the age of 40-64 for breast cancer services  

*Those under 40 in need of breast screening must either have symptoms or have a high risk of breast cancer development 

  • Have an annual or monthly income that is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, (FPL) and be uninsured or underinsured 

Can I receive help from Southern West Virginia Health System to enroll in the WVBCCSP program? 

Yes.  SWVHS is a local partner with WVBCCSP and we would be happy to assist you with enrolling in the program and helping you make your appointment with one of our primary care providers to receive the services that apply to your unique health situation.  Please give us a call at: 304-824-5806 ext. 2421 to schedule your initial appointment with one of our primary care providers, or if you have any questions regarding WVBCCSP. During your appointment with your provider, you will work on the enrollment process and your provider will verify that you are qualified to participate in WVBCCSP.  

How is WVBCCSP funded in order to provide access to these services for those who qualify? 

WVBCCSP is a federally funded comprehensive public health program. 

How does a patient benefit from this funding? 

Patients who qualify for this program benefit from the funding that is designated to provide screening and referral services for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer with special emphasis on women who are under certain income thresholds, are from minority backgrounds, women with disabilities, and women aged 40-64. 

Southern West Virginia Health System partners with WVBCCSP to either provide or make the referral order for services from a providing organization, for women to receive the necessary test/screening/diagnosis/treatment for breast and cervical cancer. 

What is covered under the WVBCCSP program as in exams, procedures, costs, etc.)? 

Services covered under the WVBCCSP program are: 

  • Patient education on breast and cervical cancer 
  • Tobacco cessation 
  • Eligible women ages 21-64 can receive Pap Smear and Pelvic Exams 
  • Eligible women ages 40-64 can receive Mammograms, Clinical Breast Exams (CBEs), Pap Smear and Pelvic Exams 
  • Other services offered for abnormal results or cancer diagnosis include: 
  • Surgical Consult (Breast only) 
  • Diagnostic Mammogram 
  • Fine Needle Aspiration 
  • Biopsy of the Breast 
  • Breast Ultrasound 
  • Colposcopy with or without Biopsy 
  • WV Diagnostic and Treatment Fund referral 
  • Medical Benefits referral 
  • Eligible women under 40 may qualify for breast screening procedures if they are experiencing symptoms or are at high risk for breast cancer development 
  • The services provided under this program are either free or at low-cost to the patient for those who qualify 

What is a Pap Smear? 

A Pap Smear, commonly referred to as a Pap or Pap test, is a procedure in which a small brush is used to gently remove cells from the surface of the cervix and the area around it so that the cells can be checked under a microscope for any cell changes that can lead to the development of cervical cancer , or for the detection of cells that have already changed to cervical cancer. 

What is a Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)? 

A clinical breast examination (CBE) is an in-office physical examination of the breast performed by a health care provider who is trained to recognize many different types of abnormalities or warning signs to indicate breast health.  These examinations are looking for lumps or physical changes to the breast with the goal of early detection of health-related conditions impacting breast health. 

What is a Mammogram? 

A mammogram is an exam using mammography, an x-ray imaging method, to take a photo of the breast for a medical professional to examine for the early detection of cancer and other breast diseases.  This is a service that we assist our patients with receiving by making a referral appointment for them to a have mammogram at a location near them. 

What is diagnostic testing? 

Diagnostic testing are certain tests or procedures medical providers will order so that they can: 

  • Help figure out what disease or condition a person has based on their signs and symptoms 
  • Develop a treatment plan to address the health condition once a diagnosis is achieved 
  • Find out how well the treatment plan is working to address the health condition 

Diagnostic tests are either: 

  • Non-Invasive, meaning they are tests that do not involved making a break in the skin 
  • Invasive, meaning the test involves puncturing the skin or entering the body 

Do you have Mammography services? 

Mammography, an x-ray imaging method used to examine the breast for the early detection of cancer and other breast diseases, is a service that we can assist our patients with by making a referral appointment for them to receive this service at a location near them. We encourage you to talk with your provider about the benefits of early detection of diseases that impact breast health and when you should have a baseline mammogram.