|
"When it comes to breast cervical cancer, early detection is the key
to survival," Blagojevich said. "When breast cancer is diagnosed
early, the survival rate is 96 percent. Early detection means
finding the cancer before you see the symptoms. We recently expanded
the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program so that thousands of
uninsured women, who otherwise might not get screened, will now have
access to early detection and treatment. We're pleased to work with
V-103, with ABCAP and with Ken Bedford in particular on this
initiative. Ken's work is inspirational to all of us." The third
annual Breast Cancer Awareness Gala and Tribute included
performances by Angela Winbush, Phil Perry, Glenn Jones and Ray
Silkman on Friday night. Actress Vivica Fox and actor Richard
Roundtree were keynote speakers at the health seminar on Saturday,
which also included free mammogram testing on-site, a breast cancer
survivor's forum, health and fitness experts, exhibits, and
entertainment.
"I thought that if I could grab the attention of women with a
party, concertlike atmosphere, I would have a captive audience. Once
assembled, I could educate them on the importance of breast cancer
awareness," Bedford said.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and is second
only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death.
Mammography screenings are a woman's best chance for detecting
breast cancer early and, when coupled with new treatment options,
can significantly improve a woman's chance of survival.
Blagojevich expanded the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program,
effective Sept. 1, to allow 3,000 additional uninsured, low-income
women to be screened and more than 400 additional women to be
treated this year through the Healthcare Benefits for Persons with
Breast or Cervical Cancer Act.
Since Blagojevich has taken office, more than 125,000 breast and
cervical cancer screenings have been performed through the Illinois
Department of Public Health's Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and
Stand Against Cancer.
Blagojevich's work toward promoting and improving women's health
includes:
-
Illinois Healthy
Women program: Blagojevich created the
Illinois Healthy Women program, which has helped women across
the state who are losing their Medicaid eligibility stay healthy
and has promoted healthy births by providing comprehensive
coverage for reproductive health care, including annual
physicals, Pap smears, mammograms, screening and treatment for
sexually transmitted diseases, and contraceptives. More than
214,000 women have been offered this program since its inception
in 2004.
-
Increased
funding for women's health: Blagojevich has consistently
made women's health a priority, allocating $24.1 million in
state funding for women's breast and cervical health programs
over the last four years. This year, the governor allocated $2.1
million in new funding to increase eligibility for lifesaving
breast and cervical cancer screenings to women with incomes up
to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
[to top of second column] |
-
Signed women's
health legislation into law: Blagojevich signed several
pieces of legislation affecting women's health in Illinois. The
Ticket for the Cure is a new lottery game to raise money for
breast cancer research and services.
Senate Bill 12 requires insurance companies to cover
screening for breast cancer earlier in a woman's life if her
doctor considers her to be at a higher risk of developing breast
cancer.
House Bill 3564 expanded and renamed the Penny
Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund to include
ovarian cancer research.
Senate Bill 521 requires insurers to provide coverage
for ovarian cancer screening tests for women who are at risk. In
2004, Blagojevich also signed legislation creating a 12-member
Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force to help educate the
public about cervical cancer and develop a statewide
comprehensive prevention and control plan.
-
Stand Against
Cancer: Beginning in 2003, Blagojevich funded Stand Against
Cancer, a community outreach and screening program targeting the
hardest-to-reach minority women. It is conducted by a coalition
of neighborhood organizations, churches and federally qualified
health centers. In fiscal 2006, Stand Against Cancer provided
more than 18,880 breast and cervical cancer screenings and
reached more than 157,731 other women outside of the Illinois
Breast and Cervical Cancer Program through educational programs
and outreach.
-
Hispanic Breast
and Cervical Cancer Initiative: In 2005, Blagojevich
launched the Hispanic Breast and Cervical Cancer Initiative,
which is closely patterned after Stand Against Cancer. Women
screened through the initiative who subsequently need diagnostic
tests are referred to local Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer
Program lead agencies.
-
Illinois Wisewoman Program: The
Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the
Nation cardiovascular research program is provided in both
English and Spanish in 21 Illinois counties. The project is
targeted toward women enrolled in the Illinois Breast and
Cervical Cancer Program and helps them reduce heart disease by
leading healthier lifestyles.
-
Women's Health-Line: There is increased access
to services through Women's Health-Line and other informational
resources. In fiscal 2006, the state-funded, toll-free Women's
Health-Line responded to more than 2,000 requests, referring
women to services and providing more than 223,757 free
educational materials to women and community providers. These
materials are also available through the Department of
Public Health website.
Women can find out how to get breast and cervical cancer
screening and treatment by calling the Women's Health-Line at
888-522-1282 or, for hearing-impaired use only, TTY 800-547-0466; or
by visiting
www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov. Information on the
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and other women's
health issues and programs is also available on the Department of
Public Health website,
www.idph.state.il.us.
[News release from the governor's
office]
 |
