Women's Cancer Screening Program

Mission

The Women's Cancer Screening Program (WCSP) works to reduce the burden (mortality and morbidity), of breast and cervical cancer, among low income women with special emphasis on reaching un/underinsured, older, medically under-served, racial, ethnic, and/or cultural minorities, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans, lesbians, women with disabilities, and other emergent populations in RI (specifically the refugee population). The WCSP has developed a strong network of providers to assure that the delivery of breast and cervical cancer screening, follow-up, treatment, and support services are available for enrolled clients.

2012 Accomplishments and Milestones

• Since program inception in 1995: Enrolled and provided breast and/or cervical cancer screening services to more than 32,000 RI women; Provided 43,175 mammograms and 41,469 Pap smears; Since the establishment of the treatment component in 2001, enrolled over 2,000 women into Medicaid to cover the cost of treatment for the diagnosis of a precancerous condition of the breast or cervix or a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer.
• 397 cases of breast cancer and 32 invasive cervical cancers have been diagnosed through the program.

What We Do

Cancer Screening

For eligible women, we can fund:

• Cervical cancer screening (Pap test alone every 3 years, or Pap test and HPV test together every 5 years).
• Breast cancer screening ( mammogram and clinical breast exam every year).
• Diagnostic services, if an abnormality is found in a screening test.

If treatment is required for a precancerous condition of the breast/cervix or a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer, women may be eligible to apply for Medical Assistance through the WCSP to cover the cost of treatment.

Training

We provide on-site training about the program at participating provider sites at the time of their enrollment into the program or when a provider site requests additional training. We will also visit a provider site to re-train staff following staff turnover and provide information on program services, eligibility requirements, and enrollment and reporting procedures.

Cancer Screening and Tracking System

We enter all screening results submitted into the Cancer Screening and Tracking System to track women through the length of the study and we generate reports, including an annual report, to the CDC. Please note that the data sent to the CDC is in aggregated form and does not contain information that would identify the women who receive services through the WCSP. (more)