Erlanger Health System is partnering with the state's Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program to offer free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services for qualified Tennessee residents.
Women who meet income requirements, are between age 40 and 64 for mammograms and age 50 or older for PAP tests and lack insurance to cover those procedures may be eligible for Erlanger's new Well-Women Early Detection Program.
More than 5,000 women in the Chattanooga area qualified for the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program in 2017 but just over 100 participated, according to a news release from Erlanger.
"We were shocked to learn so many qualified women were not receiving this free service and immediately made the decision for Erlanger to become a screening provider for the Tennessee program," said Janet Kramer-Mai, Erlanger's director of oncology support services. "We have a lot of work to do to get the word out but are so excited to partner with the state to offer this service."
Mammograms and PAP tests help detect breast and cervical cancers, and Kramer-Mai said the earlier it's detected, the better chance there is to treat and cure cancer.
Three out of four women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease, and studies show 50% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a PAP test, Erlanger officials said.
In addition, the program will help promote women's health as a whole.
"This is more than just getting people signed up to a program," she said. "The overarching goal is to improve the community's health and attach uninsured women to a primary care provider."
Elizabeth Hart, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Health, said the state was previously working with Erlanger as a referral provider for imaging and diagnostic services, but the new effort will reduce barriers and expand access for patients.
"Serving as a screening site allows for onsite enrollment and delivery of screening services at Erlanger without having to be referred to a local health department," she said.
In addition to Erlanger, Hart said clients in Southeast Tennessee can receive Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program services at any local health department or CHI Memorial's Mary Ellen Locher Breast Center.
Services from Erlanger will be offered at Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital, Erlanger North Hospital, Erlanger Baroness Hospital and Erlanger East Hospital. For more information on the program, visit www.erlanger.org/wellwoman. To schedule an appointment, call Erlanger's Cancer Support Services at 423-778-8999 or 423-778-6357.
Contact Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.