Keeping Delta Women Strong

Sandra Cook and Jackie Owen promoting Breast Health Awareness

YKHC Women's Health Program

The National Problem

• Breast cancer is the leading new cancer diagnosis for US women and second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death. While cervical cancer deaths have declined nationally, rates remain significantly high in the YK Delta.
• For late detection of cancer that is found while still localized, the five year survival rates for breast and cervical cancer are 96% and 92% respectively. With appropriate treatment, pre-invasive cervical disease has a 100% survival rate.
• 50% of all breast cancers occur among women 65-74 years of age.
• Women at highest risk for cancer death are those never or rarely screened.

The Problem in the YK Delta

• YK Delta breast & cervical cancer rates are higher than in the lower 48
• 58% of age eligible women living in the Delta have not had a Pap test in the last 5 years, if ever.
• Over 72% of age eligible women living in the Delta have not had a mammogram in the last 5 years, if ever.
• Over 50% of our women are Medicaid/Medicare enrolled or eligible. Mammograms and Pap tests may be paid, but travel for these services is not

The Goal of YKHC Women's Health Program

To reduce deaths from breast and cervical cancer by funding breast and cervical screening services for eligible women in the Delta

The Solution

Since 1991, Congress has continued to appropriate funds for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The YKHC Women's Health Program is now in the third year of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (for women's cancer screening).

Free services include mammograms, Pap tests, clinical breast exams, and additional diagnostic tests as necessary. Travel for services to a Subregional Clinic, or Bethel is paid by our program.

Case Management services are provided for women with abnormal results who need follow-up tests and/or referrals.

Public and professional education is provided regarding breast and cervical health issues.

We're conducting Mobile Mammography Clinics at each of the Sub Regional Clinics.

Here is the 2007 schedule:

• Aniak Oct 9-11
• Tooksook Bay Nov 5-9
• St Mary’s ?
• Emmonak Nov 26-30

Links

Fighting breast cancer: A Native woman's journal. Is cancer the new smallpox? This article explores the research being done on cancer in Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

Enrollment

Click here for the enrollment form — fill it out then bring it in or mail it in or fax it in to Women's Health.

The Women's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

The Women's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is a grant from the Center for Disease Control. The purpose of this grant is to enable women to have Paps, clinical breast exams, and mammograms.

We will help you pay for your procedures. If you are unable to pay for yourself, if your insurance does not cover the full bill, the Women's Health Grant will help you.

We will help you pay for travel. If you live in a village and cannot afford to fly in, if you live in Bethel and need to get to Anchorage for a procedure not offered here but do not have the funds to buy the tickets, the Women's Health Grant will help you.

We are here to help you in any way we are able. Please give us a call, send a letter, or stop in to see us so that we can give you any information or assistance you might need.

• Click here for the enrollment form — turn it in to find out if you qualify for financial assistance.

The Importance of Pap Tests

Detected Early, Cervical Cancer is Highly Cureable

Although cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable, women continue to develop cervical cancer in the United States at the rate of about 12,000 - 14,000 per year. About 4,000 women die from cervical cancer in the United States every year.

In the 1960s, cervical cancer was the number one cause of cancer death for Alaska Native women. Now, because more women get Pap tests, cervical cancer is the 11th cause instead of the first.

It is the goal of the Women's Health Program at YKHC that all women in the Delta receive regular cervical screenings.

A Pap test is a way of finding abnormal cell changes in the cervix, or opening to the uterus, before the cells turn into cancer. Because cervical cancer rarely shows symptoms — meaning you won't feel ill before it becomes life-threatening — it is considered a "silent disease."

When cervical cancer is found early it can be cured almost 100 percent of the time.

If you, or someone you know is between the ages of 18-64 and have not had a Pap test in the past five years, or never had a test, call the Women's Health Program to see if you are eligible for a free screening — which may include travel in from a village, if you are eligible.

Funding is provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Call 1-800-478-3321 x6990 to see if you qualify.

When do I need to have a Pap test?

• If you are under 18 years old, have a Pap test only if you have had sex.
  
• For ages 18-64, have a Pap test and a pelvic exam every one to three years, check with your provider.
  
• Even women who have gone through menopause need regular Pap tests.
  
• If you have had a hysterectomy, check with your provider.
  

We Care About You.

Call and Schedule an Appointment Today!

Toll-free: 1-800-478-3321 x6990

Resources

• www.PreOp.com
  This site contains 5-6 minute videos that explain procedures in easy-to-understand terms and visuals.
• CDC - Office of Women's Health
  "Working to promote and protect the health, safety, and quality of life of women at every stage of life."
• Financial Resources for People With Cancer
  The YKHC Women's Health Program is designed to help finance screening alone. This link will direct you to programs that help if you are diagnosed with cancer.