*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 
 1994.
11.03 :  National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

Contact:  CDC PRESS OFFICE     (404) 639-3286
Thursday, Nov. 3, 1994                       


      MAMMOGRAPHY, PAP AWARDS SEEK 30-90% DECREASES IN CANCERS


     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced that $68.7
million has been awarded during 1994 to all state health departments
to expand The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Program.

     The goal of the program is to reduce breast cancer deaths by 30
percent and cervical cancer deaths by more than 90 percent through
increased mammographies and Pap testing.

     "More than half-million women may lose their lives to these
cancers this decade," Secretary Shalala said.  "We are taking
aggressive action now to protect all American women from diseases
that tragically have reached epidemic proportions."

     Fifty states, three territories, the District of Columbia and
nine American Indian tribal organizations will now participate in a
strategic approach among government, private sector and voluntary
organizations to bring more women into screening programs.

     Authorized by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality
Prevention Act of 1990 and administered by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, this program began four years ago in eight
states. 

     "This initiative will remove many of the financial barriers
women face in getting timely mammograms and Pap tests," Secretary
Shalala said, "but that alone won't completely solve the problem.  
Comprehesive strategies like this will be needed to educate and
motivate women to seek these screening services."  States with
comprehensive grants will make mammograms and Pap tests available
free to low-income women.

     The early detection program relies heavily upon outreach and
educational systems to ensure widespread participation among all
women.  The benefits of such programs are particularly important for
women of racial and ethnic minorities where mortality rates are
disproportionately high.

     Educating health professionals as well as consumers is the
cornerstone of this effort that seeks to guarantee women the most
available, accessible and technically sound screening and follow-up
experience possible.  Sophisticated surveillance and evaluation
systems monitor program progress.

     Funds are provided to states to build programs in two phases: 
"Comprehensive" awards, supporting fully implemented programs,
ranging from $1 million to $3 million each, went to Alaska,
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland,
Massachussetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah,  Washington, West
Virginia and Wisconsin.   

     "Planning" awards, created to help states prepare for
comprehensive funding, averaging $200,000 went to Alabama, American
Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virgin
Islands, Virginia, and Wyoming.

     In 1993, the enabling legislation was amended to authorize
funding to American Indian tribes and tribal organizations.  Nine
tribes were funded, with individual awards ranging from $81,000 to
$300,000:  Arctic Slope Native Association (AK), Cherokee Nation
(OK), Cheyenne River Sioux (SD), Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
(NC), Mannilaq Association (AK), Pleasant Pointe Passamaquoddy (ME),
Poarch Band of Creek Indians (AL), South Puget Planning Agency (WA),
and the South-Central Foundation (AK).

     Although breast and cervical cancers exhibit different patterns
of disease, early detection and prompt treatment can alter the
natural progression of both of these diseases and can reduce
mortality.

     Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and
second only to lung cancer as a cause of premature mortality.  For
1994, the American Cancer Society estimates 182,000 new cases and
46,000 deaths.  Although incidence rates are increasing, early
detection and improved treatment have kept mortality rates stable
over the past 50 years.

     In recent decades, cervical cancer has declined in incidence
and mortality.  Since 1950, the incidence of cervical cancer has
decreased 76 percent and mortality from the disease has decreased 74
percent, attributed to widespread use of the Pap test.

     Since the early 1980s, however, the rate of decline of invasive
cervical cancer has leveled.  The American Cancer Society estimates
15,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 4,600 deaths in *This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 
 1994.

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NOTE TO EDITORS:  Award amounts for each state available upon
request.