Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program
Celebrates 10 years at DuPage County Health Department

The “Why Wait?” Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program at the DuPage County Health Department is observing 10 years of serving DuPage County women with an anniversary celebration on May 2.

The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room of the health department, 111 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. The public is invited. Please call Ruth Todd at (630) 682-7979, ext. 7095 to make a reservation.

There will be a short program and reception to thank the program’s partners and providers. The breast and cervical cancer program is funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The DuPage County program was one of three pilots when the program started in Illinois in 1995.

“Why Wait?” has screened nearly 2,000 income eligible women in DuPage County since its inception. Clinical services are provided through partnerships with local hospitals and healthcare providers. Educational programs and case management services are provided by the health department.

The screenings have found more than 20 women with breast cancer and 10 with cervical cancer or pre-cancer. None of them had medical insurance or the means to pay for screening or diagnostic services. The case managers assist clients in obtaining culturally appropriate services and treatment.

The program’s goals are reduction of breast and cervical cancer mortality rates among women through early detection and increased awareness of the need for early detection through education.

The Well Woman Coalition of DuPage serves in an advisory role for the “Why Wait?” program.
 

“We promote health, prevent illness, and provide quality service”