Well Woman HealthCheck Program

The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. brought the Well Woman HealthCheck Program (WWHP) to the Western Arizona Counties, Yuma, La Paz, and Mohave starting in 1997. The program was established as part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1993 through the Bureau of Health Systems Development at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Statewide, WWHP has provided over 73,595 mammograms and 40,563 pap tests through the end of June 2011. With early testing provided by WWHP, women have a much higher survivor success rate.

Women’s Health, the division in Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. that handles the Well Woman HealthCheck Program (WWHP), helps working and low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women gain access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services, including: clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap tests, and pelvic exams. Diagnostic testing, at no charge, such as ultrasounds, biopsies, other tests are also available, if screening results are abnormal.

The Women’s Health staff also helps verify the eligibility and facilitate the enrollment of uninsured Yuma and La Paz County women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or precancerous cervical lesions into the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) provided by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). This medical treatment coverage is also provided to any WWHP woman with the same cancer or precancerous cervical lesion diagnosis.

In addition to Federal and State funding, the Well Woman HealthCheck Program receives a percentage of the renewal fees associated with the Pink Ribbon/Cancer Awareness License Plate through the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles to support screening and diagnostic services. Senator Amanda Aguirre, the President and CEO of RCBH, wrote and sponsored the bill creating this important funding source for the WWHP. Women’s Health also facilitates enrollment into Marketplace.gov (https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/ ) and Health-e-Arizona Plus (https://www.healthearizonaplus.gov/Default/Default.aspx ) assisting Yuma and La Paz women and families become pro-active in their healthcare.

Yuma Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition

This is a group of volunteers and agency representatives, plan the Cancer Survivor Fashion Show and the October Celebration of Life. Women’s Health staff are the RCBH facilitators, along with the Coalition members, of these two educational and fund-raising events. The Fashion Show and the Celebration of Life are attended by cancer survivors, caretakers, and concerned citizens from all over the Yuma Valley; Yuma, Wellton, Somerton, and San Luis.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among woman nationwide. Cancer mortality rates are higher among Hispanic population, particularly if the population is of lower socio-economic status. A great percentage of cancer deaths are considered to be preventable through early detection of the disease.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure provides funding that makes it possible for RCBH to educate and increase awareness of Breast Cancer through community-based outreach Promotores de Salud.

The program provides free culturally sensitive health education to women with an emphasis on breast cancer, healthy lifestyles, and nutrition through home visits and group meetings. Women learn the importance of annual screenings to detect cancer on its early stage as well as the risks and importance of good nutrition as a method of preventing diseases. In addition, Family Care Coordinators/Promotores de Salud assist women by coordinating referrals with local, state and federal programs in addition to case management services. Promotores also serves as a guide and advocate for the AHCCCS application process.