Breast and cervical cancer cause significant pain, suffering and early death in the United States. Over 45,000 American women are expected to lose their lives to these cancers this year, including approximately 1,000 from Tennessee.
Early detection is the key to survival.
The Tennessee Department of Health provides free mammograms and pap tests to low-income and minority women, older women, and those who are uninsured or underinsured . Local health departments in 79 of the state's 95 counties are serving as primary screening sites where women are offered pap tests and clinical breast exams. Depending upon their age, they are referred to other service providers for mammograms and diagnostic evaluations at no cost to the woman. Mammography screening and diagnostic services are provided at 150 hospitals and mammography centers across the state. Participating health departments are targeting their efforts at women aged 50-64.