City of Grand Forks, ND

Are you 1 in 17?

1 in 17 North Dakota women may be eligible for

FREE BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS

through Women’s Way

Are you eligible? Submit your information to Women's Way.

About Women's Way 

Women’s Way may provide a way to pay for breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible North Dakota women. Women’s Way may also provide patient navigation services to help women overcome barriers and get timely access to quality care. Limited diagnostic procedures are also available to women enrolled in Women’s Way.

Benefits of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings

• Mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage -- an average of 1.7 years before the woman can feel the lump. Mammography also locates cancer too small to be felt during a clinical breast examination. 

• Pap tests can find cell changes or precancerous lesions that have developed on the cervix. HPV tests can find the virus that is the main cause of cervical cancer. Abnormal cells and lesions on the cervix can be treated before cancer develops. 

Women’s Way covers payment for program-enrolled women ages 40 through 64 for:

• Annual screening mammogram.
• Diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, or breast biopsy as needed for diagnosis after an abnormal screening mammogram.
• Annual breast MRI for women at high risk for breast cancer.
• Pap test every three or five years with a combination of Pap test and HPV testing for women who want to lengthen the screening interval.
• Annual Pap tests for high-risk populations which include women with exposure in utero to diethylstilbestrol or those who have HIV or weakened immune system who require more frequent screening.
• Pap tests for women with total hysterectomies with removal of the cervix due to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 or cervical cancer.
• Repeat Pap tests needed for follow-up of an abnormal Pap test.
• Cervical diagnostic services such as colposcopies and biopsies.

Women’s Way covers payment for program-enrolled women ages 21 through 39 for:

• Clinical breast exam to determine if there is a breast abnormality.
• Mammogram or breast ultrasound ONLY if a breast abnormality is found and documented by a health care provider.
• Breast diagnostic services.
• Pap test, if due or past due for screening according to the current USPSTF Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines – has not had a Pap test within the last 3 to 5 years.
• Pap test as a follow-up to a previous abnormal result.
• HPV test (women ages 21-29) only if the woman has had a documented abnormal Pap test and HPV test is indicated according to the ASCCP guideline.
• HPV test (women ages 30-39) as part of co-testing along with Pap test or if needed due to an abnormal Pap test result.
• Cervical diagnostic services

Women who may be eligible:

• Live in North Dakota
• Are ages 40-64, or
• are age 21-39, has breast symptoms (lump) or is due for a Pap test or needs breast or cervical diagnostic procedures
  
• Have insurance that doesn't cover Pap test and/or mammogram or can't afford to pay her deductible or co-payments or doesn't have insurance.
• Meet income guidelines (see table below).