Breast and Cervical Cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States and in Georgia. Early detection is critical; cancers found earlier are more likely to be treated successfully, and women are surviving longer with breast cancer. Through prevention initiatives such as early detection of pre-cancerous abnormalities and HPV vaccination, cases of cervical cancer have dramatically fallen in Georgia.

Women and Children Service Finder

Use this tool to find your local health department.

To help reduce the impact of breast and cervical cancer in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services and referral to treatment as medically indicated to uninsured and underinsured women residing in Georgia..

Eligibility

Uninsured or underinsured Georgia residents under 200 percent of the federal poverty level may be eligible.  Cervical cancer screening is available to women 21 to 64 and breast cancer screening is available to women between the ages of 40 and 64. Individuals under 18 may also be eligible for free or low-cost HPV vaccination. To find out if you are eligible and to access services, please call your Download this pdf file. local county public health department . For more information about BCCP, contact [email protected].

Georgia Gateway

Apply on Gateway to see all the services you are eligible for.

High-Risk Breast Cancer Indicators

Individuals with any of the following are at high risk for breast cancer:

  • Past personal history of breast cancer;
  • Family history of breast cancer in a parent, sibling, or child;
  • Genetic testing positive for BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation or other high-penetrance breast and or ovarian susceptibility genes;
  • Genetic testing not completed, but has a close (first, second or third-degree) biological relative with a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation or other high-penetrance breast and or ovarian cancer susceptibility genes;
  • Radiation therapy to the chest between ten and 30 years of age; or
  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley Ruvalcaba syndrome or has a first-degree relative who has any such syndrome.

Individuals identified as high risk for breast cancer by having one or more of the above risk factors should:

  • Discuss with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate course of follow-up;   
  • Request access to genetics provider for further education, testing, and guidance;  
  • Request assistance from the GA Breast and Cervical Cancer program if they are uninsured and need assistance accessing genetics or other services.

Guidance for providers for identification and follow-up of the above risk factors: 

Services

Services provided by the Georgia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) include:

  • Clinical Breast Examination
  • Mammogram
  • Pelvic Examination
  • Pap test
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) test
  • Diagnostic testing of abnormal results
  • Referrals to treatment through the Women’s Health Medicaid Program

Follow-Up Services

Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the program, or referred to the program by a physician, may be eligible for treatment through Medicaid coverage as authorized by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment and Prevention Act passed by Congress in 2000.

Georgia Breast Cancer Genomics Project

The Georgia Department of Public Health has partnered with the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (CORE) to provide a free online screening tool to assess hereditary risk for breast and cervical cancer. This tool is designed to quickly identify who should be referred for screenings and genetic counseling and is available to women of all ages in the state of Georgia. 

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC) is an inherited tendency to develop breast, ovarian, and other cancers, and at a younger age. The majority of HBOC is due to a mutation in the two most common breast cancer genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes).

Women with an inherited mutation have up to a sixty-five percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and up to forty-four percent chance of developing ovarian cancer. It is estimated that with appropriate screening in Georgia, hundreds of potential BRCA related breast and ovarian cancers can be prevented.

All women should have a mammogram as appropriate for their age. To determine whether you may benefit from BRCA testing complete the Breast Cancer Genetics Referral Screening Tool (B-RSTTM) located at www.breastcancergenescreen.org. Providers are also encouraged to have their patients complete this tool. 

If a positive screening result is identified, start by contacting your Download this pdf file. local county health department  or other provider(s) near you that offer screening. If you have additional questions about the genomics testing program, contact 404-584-1178.

Additional Resources

American Cancer Society: Colorectal Cancer

American Cancer Society: Genetics and Cancer

Download this pdf file. Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Logic Model  

Bright Pink

Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run in Your Family?

DPH Cancer Prevention and Control

FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Download this pdf file. Georgia Breast Cancer Genomics Project Process Map

Georgia Cancer State Aid Program

Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

 

Page last updated 8/16/23