Screening / Mammography

Screening and state-of-the-art cancer treatment are two of the most important ways to prevent deaths from breast cancer. If you begin getting your screening test as outlined below and breast cancer is found early, when it’s small and has not spread outside the breast, it is easier to treat successfully. Getting a regular screening test is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early.

Did you know? Early detection is the best protection.

• Breast, cervical, and colon cancer often have no warning signs.
• Regular screenings can find cancer early when treatment is easier.
• 1 in 7 women are at average risk of breast cancer in the Pacific Northwest.
• Men get breast cancer too.

 The size of breast cancer and how far it has spread are some of the key factors in predicting the prognosis (outlook) of a woman with this disease.

These guidelines are for women at average risk for breast cancer. For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong history of breast cancer, or a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer (such as in a BRCA gene), and has not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30.

• Women between 40 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue if a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

Mammograms are low-dose X-rays of the breast. Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most likely to be successful. A mammogram can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop.

Options for Free Screening in Southwest Washington

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Kearney Breast Center

• To enroll/qualify: 1-800-992-1817 ext 1 or Language line 1-888-202-3301
• Website: peacehealth.org/services/breast-care
• Geography: Serving Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Lewis,
  Mason, Pacific, Gray Harbor, and Thurston Counties.
• Eligibility:
  • Uninsured or underinsured.
  • People between 40 and 64 years.
  • People with low incomes.
• Service Provided:
  • Breast cancer screenings (breast exams and mammograms).
  • Cervical cancer screenings (pap tests and pelvic exams).
  • Follow-up tests to find out if treatment is needed.
  • Assistance with finding resources for treatment.
  • Enroll in Washington Apple Health.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) of SW Washington partners with:

• Free Clinic of SW Washington, 4100 Plomondon Street, Vancouver WA; 360-313-1391
• Battleground Free Clinic, 11117 NE 189th Street, Suite 216, Battleground, WA; 360-687-8941

For other regional partners across the rest of Washington, for the Washington Department of Health Breast Cervical & Colon Health Program (BCCCHP), call toll free: 1-888-438-2247 or visit doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/cancer/cancer-screening

NARA NW (Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc) operates the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) and provides breast and cervical cancer screening and patient navigation to underinsured and uninsured patients in both SW Washington and Oregon.

• Call 503-230-9875 or visit naranorthwest.org/projects/indian-health-clinic
• Eligibility:
  • Have a household income at or below 250% of Federal Poverty Level.
  • Age 21-64 needing breast or cervical cancer screening, navigation or diagnostic services.
  • Age 45-74 for colorectal cancer screening, navigation and diagnostic services and establish as a NARA NW patient and are a resident of Oregon.
  • Have no health insurance OR have health insurance, but not enough to cover your needs or have other financial barriers to cancer screening and diagnostic services.
  • Covered services are offered at no cost to the client.

Options for Free Cancer Screening in Oregon

NARA NW (Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc) operates the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) and provides breast and cervical cancer screening and patient navigation to underinsured and uninsured patients in both SW Washington and Oregon.

• Call 503-230-9875 or visit naranorthwest.org/projects/indian-health-clinic
• Eligibility:
  • Have a household income at or below 250% of Federal Poverty Level.
  • Age 21-64 needing breast or cervical cancer screening, navigation or diagnostic services.
  • Age 45-74 for colorectal cancer screening, navigation and diagnostic services and establish as a NARA NW patient and are a resident of Oregon.
  • Have no health insurance OR have health insurance, but not enough to cover your needs or have other financial barriers to cancer screening and diagnostic services.
  • Covered services are offered at no cost to the client.

Northwest Family Services

We work with a statewide network of providers that offers breast, and cervical cancer screening for women and men. (ScreenWise no longer offers hereditary cancer screening.)

• Offers free:
  • Breast exam and Mammogram
    Cervical cancer screening (pap)
• Eligibility:
  • 40 years and over
    21-39 needing breast or cervical cancer diagnostic service referred by a doctor
  • Uninsured and underinsured
  • Family income under the poverty level of 250% FPL
• Website: nwfs.org/health-navigation/screenwise-program
• For Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington County: Contact Olga Rodriguez at 971-254-0194 or Darin Sanchez at 971-323-5349 for more information.
• For Marion and Polk County: Contact Alessa Facundo at 503-415-9757 for more information.

Oregon Health Authority’s ScreenWise (Serving ALL of Oregon)

• Eligibility:
  • Age 18-39 and need breast or cervical cancer diagnostic services. Need for services must be determined by a doctor.
  • Age 40+ need breast or cervical cancer screening or diagnostic services.
  • Location: Live in Oregon or intend to.
  • Income: Household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
  • Insurance status: No health insurance, or have health insurance, but not enough to cover needs.
• Call 971-673-0581 or visit
  oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthypeoplefamilies/women/healthscreening/pages/index.aspx