About the Program
This National Report provides data on the millions of women screened by the program over an 11-year period (2003–2014), including the number diagnosed with cancer. Without the NBCCEDP, many of these women may not have had access to cancer screening services.
Background
To improve access to breast and cervical cancer screening, Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990,external icon which directed CDC to create the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Currently, the NBCCEDP funds 70 grantees–all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 6 U.S. territories, and 13 American Indian/Alaska Native tribes or tribal organizations.
In 2000, Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act,external icon which allowed states to offer women who are diagnosed with cancer in the NBCCEDP access to treatment through Medicaid. In 2001, with passage of the Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act,external icon Congress explained that his option also applies to American Indians and Alaska Natives who are eligible for health services provided by the Indian Health Service or by a tribal organization.
Purpose
Through the NBCCEDP, CDC helps low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women gain access to timely breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. NBCCEDP also provides patient navigation services to help women overcome barriers and get timely access to quality care.
In addition to funding screening and diagnostic services for eligible women, the NBCCEDP focuses not only on the behavior choices of individuals, but also on factors that influence those choices at the interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels. Therefore, the NBCCEDP supports use of population-based approaches to improve systems that increase high-quality breast and cervical cancer screening. These include—
Accomplishments
Since 1991, NBCCEDP-funded programs have—
- Served more than 5.8 million women.
- Provided more than 15.1 million breast and cervical cancer screening examinations.
- Diagnosed 71,107 invasive breast cancers and 22,594 premalignant breast lesions.
- Diagnosed 4,863 invasive cervical cancers and 222,091 premalignant cervical lesions, of which 39% were high-grade.
During 2015–2017, about 5.7% of U.S. women were eligible for NBCCEDP cervical cancer screening services, and the program served 6.8% of eligible women. During 2016–2017, about 5.3% of U.S. women were eligible for NBCCEDP breast cancer screening services, and the program served 15.0% of eligible women.
In program year 2019, the NBCCEDP—
- Provided breast cancer screening and diagnostic services to 266,592 women and diagnosed 2,508 invasive breast cancers and 724 premalignant breast lesions.
- Provided cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to 130,386 women and diagnosed 134 invasive cervical cancers and 6,891 premalignant cervical lesions, of which 35% were high-grade.