What to know
CDC scientists regularly analyze the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
Doctor shortages and nurse practitioner autonomy can affect the percentage of women screened
A study looked at two factors that can affect the percentage of eligible women who are screened for breast cancer by National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) award recipients. The two factors are:
- Percentage of people living in areas with doctor shortages: In 2021, more than half of U.S. states did not have enough primary care doctors to meet local demand. In these areas, fewer doctors are available to provide cancer screenings.
- Nurse practitioner autonomy: Nurse practitioners can help patients when doctors aren't available. Only 46% of states allow nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat patients without a doctor's supervision.
Key findings
- During July 2022 through June 2024, NBCCEDP state award recipients provided breast cancer screenings to an average of 10% of eligible women.
- Award recipients in states with higher percentages of women who are eligible for breast cancer screening through the NBCCEDP had lower percentages of eligible women screened. This may be because states with higher numbers of eligible women may be less likely to have enough resources to meet the demand for breast cancer screening than states with fewer eligible women.
- Award recipients in states with higher percentages of the state population living in areas with doctor shortages had higher percentages of eligible women screened for breast cancer.
- Award recipients in states with nurse practitioner autonomy had slightly higher percentages of eligible women screened than those in states without nurse practitioner autonomy.
How some clinics work with community partners to increase cancer screening
A study learned about how 9 NBCCEDP award recipients and clinics work with organizations in their community to increase breast cancer screening among groups of women who are less likely to be screened as recommended.
Key findings
- All 9 award recipients surveyed said their clinic partners use their computer systems to identify women who are due for screening and women with abnormal test results who do not return for follow-up care.
- To reach out to women in the community, most award recipients delivered culturally appropriate messages and offered patient navigation. Community partnerships were needed to deliver culturally sensitive messages and to reach groups of women without access to health care.
- To increase women's access to cancer screening, award recipients most often worked with partners who provided transportation, language translation services, and mobile mammography.
- The partnerships that work best are unique for each award recipient and change over time.
Other publications
- Estimated health outcomes of breast cancer screening in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program by race/ethnicity
- Eligibility for and reach of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, 2018–2021
- Changes in screening test volume in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020–2022
- Variation in cervical cancer screening test utilization and results in a United States-based program
- Breast and cervical cancer programs' success in maintaining screening during periods of high COVID-19: a qualitative multi-case study analysis
- Are National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program recipients providing services in counties heavily burdened by breast and cervical cancer?