FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 6, 2008
DHEC lowers screening age for the Best Chance Network
COLUMBIA – The Best Chance Network has lowered the initial age a woman can be screened for breast and cervical cancer, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
Best Chance Network (BCN) is a program that screens uninsured, low-income women in South Carolina for breast and cervical cancer.
"We sincerely hope that women from age 40 to 64 in all parts of South Carolina will take advantage of the BCN to get their annual breast and cervical cancer screenings and with October being breast cancer awareness month, there is no better time than now," said Lisa F. Waddell, M.D., deputy commissioner for DHEC Health Services. "Breast and cervical cancers are often detected too late. If found while still localized, the five year survival rates are 98 percent for breast cancer and 92 percent for cervical cancer.
"This past summer, DHEC received funding from the S.C. State Legislature making it possible for more women to receive these life saving services," Dr. Waddell said. "Last year BCN screened 9,500 South Carolina women. This year, BCN hopes to screen 18,000, or approximately 20 percent of the eligible women in the state."
According to Dr. Waddell, BCN's mission is to reduce deaths from breast and cervical cancer by funding comprehensive screening services for women who meet age, income and insurance eligibility criteria, thereby finding cancers at earlier and more curable stages. The BCN provides a variety of screening and diagnostic services to women ages 40 to 64 including clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap smears and some follow-up tests. If a woman is screened through BCN and needs treatment for breast or cervical cancer, she might also be eligible to apply for Medicaid.
BCN is also recruiting new providers in the following counties: Anderson, Berkeley, Cherokee, Colleton, Dorchester, Lexington, Richland, Spartanburg and York.
To find out if you or a loved one is eligible for BCN services or to find a provider in your community, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 and ask about the Best Chance Network or see the Web at http://www.scdhec.gov/health/chcdp/cancer/bcn.htm.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. You can learn more about Komen in South Carolina by visiting www.komenupstatesc.org and www.komenlowcountry.org.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. No matter who you are we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.
About the South Carolina Cancer Alliance
The South Carolina Cancer Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is “to reduce the impact of cancer on ALL people in South Carolina.” The 1,100 members work to coordinate cancer control efforts and to strengthen and expand the capacity to address cancer issues in South Carolina. Visit www.sccanceralliance.org or call 1-866-745-5680.
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For more information:
Jan Viars, DHEC – (803) 545-4145
E-mail – viarsjh@dhec.sc.gov
Or:
Vonda Evans – Recruitment Senior Manager
(Low Country & Pee Dee)
office: American Cancer Society
5900 Core Rd., Suite 504
(843) 744-1922, fax: (843) 747-2761
cell phone: (843) 276-5315
e-mail: Vonda.Evans@cancer.org
Lynette Nelson – Outreach Worker
76 Rodgers Lane
Greeleyville, SC 29056
office: (843) 426-4085, (843) 426-4065
e-mail: Lynette.Nelson@cancer.org
Julie Payne – Outreach Worker
(Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland)
6905 Cleaton Rd, J151
Columbia, SC 29206
office: (803) 865-5493, fax: (803) 865-7527
e-mail: Julie.Payne@cancer.org
Hildreth Perrin – Outreach Worker
P.O. Box 147 (mailing)
841 Christian Road (physical)
McCormick, SC 29835
office: (864) 443-2521, fax: (864) 443-2524
e-mail: Hildreth.Perrin@cancer.org
Betty Smith – Outreach Worker
P.O. Box 2312 (mailing)
339 Lincoln Blvd. (physical)
Georgetown, SC 29442
office: (843) 545-0405, fax: (843) 545-5745
e-mail: Betty.Smith@cancer.org
Evelyn Lugo – Hispanic/Latino Outreach Coordinator
154 Milestone Way
Greenville, SC 29615
(864)240-4256 (Phone)
(864)232-3693 (Fax)
e-mail: Evelyn.Lugo@cancer.org
Mary Lynn Donovan, Breast Cancer Survivor
Executive Director
Upstate SC Affiliate
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Office: 301 Halton Road, Suite D-2
Greenville, SC 29607
864-234-5035 (fax) 864-234-5036
cell 864-320-7879
mlfdonovan@bellsouth.net
Taffy Tamblyn, Executive Director
Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the CureR
9302 Medical Plaza Dr, Suite E
N Charleston, S.C. 29406
Phone - 843-556-8011
Fax - 843-556-8021
Taffy@komenlowcountry.org
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