Citrine Health: Cancer Screenings Save Lives

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Cancer is a scary word, but cancer screenings save lives.

Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. However, in the past 40 years, the number of cases of cervical cancer has decreased significantly. This decline largely is the result of many women getting regular Pap tests, which can find cervical precancer before it turns into cancer.

Studies have shown that your risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence your risk include being a woman and getting older.

Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.

Colon screenings can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—that can be removed before they turn into cancer or can be removed at an early stage, when treatment works best.

About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.

Cancer screenings save lives!

If you have health insurance use it to make an appointment to get screened. Most insurances will cover screenings without any out-of-pocket expenses (even if you have a deductible). If you do not have insurance, we may be able to help you.

BCCHP provides free cancer screenings // Shutterstock

Washington’s Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program (BCCHP) provides free cancer screenings and diagnostic services for low-income, uninsured and underinsured women and men in Washington State who do not qualify for Medicaid/Washington Apple Health.

BCCHP, which began in Washington state in 1993, receives state funding as well as grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Susan G. Komen. Citrine Health is one of six prime contractors for the program, managing Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties.

BCCHP services include cervical health screenings for women ages 21-64, and breast screenings for women 40-64. In addition, women or men 18-64 with suspicious breast symptoms may qualify for diagnostic services through the program.

BCCHP may also be able to help community members who have health insurance, but have a high deductible, for follow-up breast or cervical diagnostic tests.

Clients 65 and younger, diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through BCCHP are automatically enrolled onto the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.

Call Citrine Health at 425-259-9899 to see if you’re eligible for BCCHP services // Unsplash

Colon health screenings, which were added in 2009, are available for men and women ages 50 -64. Colon screenings are also available for younger people with a strong family history (first degree relative) of colon cancer.

Individuals at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may qualify for all BCCHP services if they do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Additional funding is available for breast screenings above these guidelines as well.

For more information about cancer screenings or to find out if you are eligible for this high-quality screening program call Citrine Health at 425-259-9899.