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Breast & Cervical Cancer (ABCCEDP)

The Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (ABCCEDP) provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings for women who meet the following criteria.

  1. Be a woman
  2. Be a resident of Alabama (have an Alabama address)
  3. Be between 40-64 years old*
  4. Have a household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
  5. Have no insurance

*You may also be eligible for a cervical screening if you are 21-39 years old and have had a tubal ligation or partial hysterectomy with a cervix still remaining.

Free services include a pelvic exam, pap smear, clinical breast exam, mammogram, and diagnostic services such as an ultrasound, colposcopy, or biopsy if needed.

Free Screenings Available

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If you are interested in ABCCEDP’s FREE SCREENINGS or would like more information about eligibility, locations, or more, please call toll-free at 1-877-252-3324, contact your local county health department, or fill out this form. It will take less than 5 minutes to complete.

Please note that breast and cervical services are free through ABCCEDP; however, other services and programs may be offered at these locations that may have a fee.

Eligibility Guidelines for Free Services

  • Women meeting the age eligibility
  • Women who have an income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines - Income Eligibility Guidelines
  • Women without insurance

If You Experience Symptoms, Act Immediately

If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, it is important to call your health care professional for guidance immediately. If you have signs or symptoms that might be from cancer, you should discuss this with your provider right away, as you will need exams or tests that evaluate those particular signs and symptoms.

Visit the pages below for more information on specific types of cancer:

 

Patient Enrollment

Healthcare providers who have contracted with ABCCEDP should enroll their patients through the ABCCEDP Online Med-It System. For instructions on how to enroll a patient, please read the Med-It Enrollment Instructions.

Eligibility Guidelines for Free Services

  • Women meeting the age eligibility
  • Women who have an income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines --- Income Eligibility Guidelines
  • Women without insurance

Breast Cancer Screening

  • Women aged 40-64, screen every year
  • Women aged 40-64 with breast mass and one of the following:
    --Breast complaints including bloody nipple discharge, dimpling, or 1st degree relative with breast cancer.
    --(CBE, Mammogram and/or Ultrasound, and Diagnostics)
    OR one of the following:
    --Personal history of breast cancer or known genetic mutation such as BRCA 1 or 2 (Must have documentation of breast cancer and/or genetic mutation).
    --1st degree relative with breast cancer or known genetic mutation such as BRCA 1 or 2 (Must attempt to retrieve documentation of breast cancer and/or genetic mutation)
    --Greater than 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer using a breast cancer risk assessment
    --History of radiation treatment to the chest area before the age of 30 (typically for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma)
    --(CBE, Mammogram, and MRI annually, alternated every 6 months)
  • Women aged 65 and older with no insurance or Medicare Part A only, screen every other year

Cervical Cancer Screening

  • Women aged 40-64 (Includes those that are NOT eligible for Family Planning)*: co-test every 5 years, or Pap every 3 years
  • Women aged 21-39 (Those who have had tubal ligation or partial hysterectomy with cervix remaining)
    -- Ages 21-29: Pap test only every 3 years
    -- Ages 30-39: Co-test every 5 years, or Pap test every 3 years
  • Women ANY AGE with a past personal history (biopsy) of CIN ll, CIN lll, or invasive cervical cancer
  • Women aged 21-64 (those NOT eligible for Family Planning)* with one of the following: Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure in utero, immuno-compromised due to a health condition, organ transplant, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
    -- Ages 21-29: Annual Pap test 
    -- Ages 30-64: Co-test every 3 years, or Annual Pap test
  • Women aged 21-39 who need diagnostic follow-up services for abnormal cervical cancer screening results if uninsured.
  • Women aged 65 or older with no insurance or Medicare Part A only. Must meet ASCCP guidelines for continued screening.

*Women of any age who have had a bilateral tubal ligation or partial hysterectomy are not eligible for Family Planning.

Our ability to provide breast screening services to women aged 40-64 is directly related to funds available for this grant year. Program funds are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of Alabama, and the Joy to Life Foundation.

ADPH will continue to monitor the number of women enrolling in the program and related costs. Although adjusting the age groups eligible for program services can be frustrating and confusing, utilizing all funds to serve those in need is our ultimate objective.

A flyer has been created for ABCCEDP women regarding Alabama 211. By dialing 2-1-1, individuals will be provided information and easy access to community resources located throughout Alabama. Assistance with insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, as well as many other services listed on the flyer, will be available. An ABCCEDP eligibility update form that summarizes current eligibility has also been created.

 

Provider Training

What is the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program?


Understanding Eligibility


Completing ABC Forms


Following Up on Abnormal Results


Getting Paid - Reimbursement for Services

Women Screened


From the program's beginning in 10/1996 through 12/2020:

  • 134,048 women screened
  • 206,522 clinical breast exams provided
  • 192,873 mammograms provided
  • 111,818 Pap smear tests provided
  • 2,589 breast cancers detected
  • 3,227 cervical preinvasive (CIN I, II & III) and invasive cancers detected

June 2021 - June 2022:

  • 10,161 women screened
  • 6,597 clinical breast exams provided
  • 7,050 mammograms provided
  • 4,053 Pap smear tests provided
  • 71 breast cancers detected
  • 399 cervical preinvasive (CIN I, II & III) and invasive cancers detected

Resources for Your Patients





Page last updated: February 1, 2024