CDPHE offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings

By

Boram Kim

|

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) launched a campaign on Monday to raise awareness of the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC), a program offering free routine cancer screenings to women who qualify. 

 

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WWC offers testing, including mammograms and Pap or HPV tests, at more than 100 clinics statewide to women aged 21-64 with no health insurance or limited insurance and have a demonstrated financial need. 

“As someone who was diagnosed with cancer four times, including as a young mother, I am committed to ensuring that all Coloradans have access to affordable, preventive healthcare and treatment,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “The Women’s Wellness Connection is a critical program that offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings at more than 100 clinics across Colorado so that cost, lack of health insurance, or immigration status does not get in the way of women catching cancer when chances of survival are highest.”

Doctors recommend women over the age of 21 should get screened for cervical cancer with a Pap test every 3 to 5 years while women over 40 should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years to screen for breast cancer. Early stage detection of cancer makes it easier to treat and improves the chances of survival. 

“92% of women survive cervical cancer when it’s found early. Pap and HPV tests can even prevent cancer by finding abnormal cells before they become cancer,” said CDPHE. “98% of women survive breast cancer when it’s found early. Breast cancers can start years before there are any physical symptoms, so getting routine mammograms is usually the only way to find the cancer early.”

CDPHE estimates 1 in 3 Coloradans will get cancer in their lifetime, including 1 in 8 who will have invasive breast cancer.