Development and implementation of a breast and cervical cancer screening program in urban and rural Alaska

Early detection of breast and cervical cancers represents the single best strategy to effect the reduction of associated morbidity and mortality. The State of Alaska identified a need to establish a service delivery system which would assure the availability of breast and cervical cancer screening services for women who are low income, under- and uninsured, and from racial/ethnic minorities. In March 1995 the Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (AK-BCCEDP) began funding breast and cervical cancer screening services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The purpose of AK-BCCEDP is to establish a comprehensive service delivery strategy which includes screening, tracking, referral, follow-up, public education, quality assurance, surveillance, coalition building/partnering, and evaluation. During the first year of services (March 1, 1995, to February 29, 1996) 651 women were screened for breast and cervical cancer. Higher than expected numbers of breast cancer were detected. Of the 651 women screened, four were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and three were diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.