Start a Tradition of Prevention
SEARHC’s Breast & Cervical Health Program offers financial assistance to all Alaskan women between the ages of 21-64 who meet monthly household income eligibility guidelines. The grant-funded program covers out-of-pocket costs for certain breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic testing for eligible and enrolled patients. This program is designed to help catch cancer early, improve outcomes, and support long-term health and quality of life. It is offered to all women in Southeast Alaska, whether they meet the grant eligibility for financial assistance or otherwise.
Services covered:
- Pap Test: Checks for abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous and cancerous.
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Test: Screens for the HPV virus, which is the most likely cause of cervical cancer and can also cause other cancers, including throat, mouth, anus, penis, vulva and vagina.
- Colposcopies: Testing that closely looks at the cervix to check for abnormal cells, usually done after a Pap or HPV test that may include a small tissue biopsy (sample).
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)/Cervical Conization (diagnostic purposes only, not treatment): Procedures that remove abnormal, potentially cancer-causing tissue from the cervix.
- Screening mammograms: A routine screening that utilizes a low-dose x-ray of the breast tissue to help find early signs of breast cancer, even when symptoms are not present.
- Diagnostic mammograms: A more detailed low-dose x-ray of the breast when symptoms such as a lump, pain, or other abnormalities occur.
- Breast ultrasounds: A test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the breast tissue giving a better picture of lumps or areas with abnormal symptoms.
- Breast lump biopsies: This procedure is performed with a needle or minor surgery to take a small sample of tissue from a lump in the breast to test for cancer or other changes.
- Certain Provider Visits: Some provider office visits in which breast and/or cervical cancer screenings were performed or discussed, including when a breast cancer screening is ordered, a clinical breast exam is performed by the provider, a cervical cancer screening is completed, or a breast or cervical biopsy is taken.
- Travel: Patient airfare or ferry costs associated with travel for breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostics performed at SEARHC facilities for those who meet eligibility criteria.
Additional Resources
For those who don’t qualify for financial assistance, there are other services provided through the SEARHC Breast & Cervical Health Program. The knowledgeable and experienced team of Registered Nurses, billing experts, and administrative professionals offer patient navigation and case management services to all SEARHC patients seeking breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostics.
Enrollment Information
To see if you qualify, call 907.766.6320 or complete the eligibility form and one of our staff will contact you directly!