 | Stephanie M. Thompson, RN, MSN, CBEC, CBCN, CBPN-IC, CFN is the SEK Regional Nurse/Case Manager for Early Detection Works. Kelly York is the SEK Regional Outreach Coordinator. Their office is located at 410 E. Atkinson, Pittsburg, Ks, 66762.To schedule a free breast health presentation, or to determine eligibility for the EDW program, please call the SEK Regional office in Pittsburg at (620) 235-7136. |
Health & Wellness
2011-05-01 10:03:00
Health screenings without insurance
Answer: The early detection of cancer can save your life and if there is one thing that an un-insured Kansas woman needs to know, it is the name of the Early Detection Works program. Early Detection Works is a federal and state funded program that pays for breast and cervical cancer screenings for un-insured or under-insured Kansas women ages 40-64.
While the U.S. Preventative Task Force now recommends women begin annual mammography screening at the age of 50, it is the opinion of the Early Detection Works program and Susan G. Komen for the Cure that all women should begin annual mammograms at the age of 40. Furthermore, all women should be discussing when to have a baseline mammogram with their primary physicians.
The goal of the Early Detection Works program (EDW) is to ensure that all Kansas women are able to receive these annual screenings regardless of their ability to afford such procedures. According to the American Cancer Society statistics, 1,790 Kansas women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 370 of those women will not survive the battle. If breast cancers are found early, at the most treatable stage, there is a 98% survival rate of 5 years. With digital mammography, technology today is able to diagnose breast cancers at an earlier stage and the Early Detection Works program strives to make it accessible for all women.
Eligible women must be Kansas residents, ages 40-64, and un-insured in order to qualify for a no-cost clinical breast exam, Pap smear (unless you have had a hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons) and a mammogram. Women must pre-enroll in the program and can do so by calling the Southeast Kansas Regional office in Pittsburg to determine their eligibility and to receive an enrollment number. Once a woman is enrolled, she will be referred to her nearest contracted provider site. The Southeast Kansas Regional office oversees 16 counties; Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Labette, Linn, Lyon, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson.
In the event that an enrolled woman requires more extensive testing, the program is also able to cover the costs of certain diagnostic procedures. If an enrolled woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, application can be made for Medicaid coverage through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 2000 which will cover the costs of her cancer treatment. The Treatment Act covers women who would not otherwise be eligible for Medicaid.
Once a woman is enrolled in the EDW program, she can continue to receive annual breast exam screenings until she turns 65 or obtains health insurance coverage that pays for the services. Women under the age of 40 needing assistance with breast or cervical issues are also encouraged to call the program for no-cost screenings.
In addition to offering breast and cervical cancer screenings, Early Detection Works also offers a FREE breast health educational program, funded by a Susan G. Komen for the Cure grant called “Show You Care, Be Self-Aware”. The program is available day or evening to groups of any age or size. The program has been given in several area high schools, as well as to civic organizational meetings and church groups across the region.
