May 8, 2011
ThisWeek Community Newspapers Delaware
Page A9
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BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER PROJECT
State funding aids early detection In December of 1989 Elizabeth Cassady’s mother Roberta informed her “We realize that it’s unrealistic to expect the BCCP to family that she had been diagnosed receive more funding during these tough economic with breast cancer. Elizabeth recalls her concern for her mother was times. When the current budget problems are resolved overwhelming. So was the concern for and the state can dedicate more resources toward her own health as she knew she may be prevention, we will continue to show the cost benefits at a higher risk of breast cancer than the average woman. of early screening versus treatment and ask that Elizabeth also understood, through funding be increased.” her mother’s own battle, that if detected early the survival rate is very good. She — KATIE CARTER determined her best chance to fight the KOMEN COLUMBUS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR disease, if ever she were diagnosed, would be to catch it early through years-old and her insurance didn’t write an appeal letter to her insurance regular screenings. cover mammograms for women under company informing them of her mothUnfortunately at the time of her the age of 40. So every year she would er’s diagnosis and her higher risk. mother’s diagnosis Elizabeth was 25-
“Every year before my screening, I would simply change the date on the appeal letter I sent the year before as I expected the insurance company would deny payment for my mammogram,” Elizabeth said. For Elizabeth, her annual encounter with the red tape was worthwhile as the screenings gave her knowledge and peace of mind. A couple years ago Elizabeth began working contract jobs and found herself unable to afford health insurance or the cost of screenings — yet her income was too high to be eligible for the state’s Medicaid program. Even more frightening, the team at the Columbus Cancer Clinic detected a mass in her left breast during her annual mammogram.
Needing a second screening and an ultrasound, the Cancer Clinic informed Elizabeth that she would be eligible for assistance through the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP). Administered by the Ohio Department of Health through funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state budget appropriations, the BCCP provides mammograms, diagnostic testing and case management services to low-income women in Ohio who don’t have insurance coverage and fall in the eligibility gap for the state’s Medicaid system. Last year, the Ohio BCCP screened See STATE, on next page