The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is a CDC-sponsored program to provide breast and cervical cancer screening, referral and follow up services to low-income women who are uninsured or underinsured. The program is authorized by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-354). In 1993, this Act was amended to create CDC's American Indian/Alaska Native Initiative. This initiative provides funding directly to tribes and tribal organizations to deliver comprehensive breast and cervical cancer screening services. Currently, 12 tribes and tribal organizations are funded. This session describes the comprehensive program which includes: screening, tracking, follow-up and case management; public education and outreach; professional education; quality assurance and improvement; and coalitions and partnerships. This session also describes the purpose behind a multi-site case study of the tribal programs. The CDC initiative responds to the serious health challenges that breast and cervical cancer present to Native women in the US. This initiative is unusual among CDC programs in its targeted approach to delivering screening services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The number of Native women screened in the national program has steadily risen since the start of the targeted initiative. A total of 82,952 mammograms and 113,950 Pap tests were performed on Native women enrolled in the national program through March 31, 2000. With funding from the initiative, tribal programs provided 26,706 mammograms and 48,750 Pap tests through this same date.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the history of the American Indian/Alaska Native Initiative of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. 2. Understand the effect that this initiative has had on the delivery of comprehensive screening services to American Indian and Alaska Native women. 3. Understand the rationale for conducting a case study of the tribal screening programs.
Keywords: Cancer Screening, Native Americans
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.