The Women's Health Network (WHN) is now the Care Coordination Program.  A national and statewide program that provides free screening for breast and cervical cancer to uninsured AND underinsured women. The program's goal is to detect breast and cervical cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.

All women, regardless of their age, should begin regular breast exams, and if sexually active, regular screening for cervical cancer. Early detection is one of the most important factors in successfully treating or preventing these diseases, and the WHN program is designed to make it easy to get screened.

Tapestry Health provides free WHN services to eligible women at several of our regional locations. These services include gynecological exams, Pap smears, clinical breast exams, and routine mammograms. If necessary, further diagnostic procedures, such as biopsies, diagnostic mammograms, colposcopies, and ultrasound tests are also available free or at low cost.

Who is eligible to receive services

You may be eligible for free services if you:

• are age 40 to 64
• have no other insurance that covers these services
• meet income eligibility OR
• are over age 64 and ineligible for Medicare or Part B
• are age 18 to 39 and have never had a pap test or have not had a pap test in five years

Call or make an appointment to see if you qualify. Tapestry Health staff can also direct you to other free and low-cost options.

Income Guidelines (per household)

Why you should get screened for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women living in Massachusetts and is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Yet, if detected early, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 97 percent. Getting checked for breast cancer is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to keep yourself healthy. Early detection of breast cancer means getting treatment faster, which can make a big difference in the outcome. Even if you perform regular breast self-exams, annual exams by a health professional are essential. For women age 40 and older and those in high-risk groups, regular mammograms should be performed every one or two years. A mammogram can detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage—an average of one to three years before a woman can feel a lump.

Remember: Just because you have a breast lump, it doesn't mean you have cancer. There are many causes of lumpiness in breasts and, in fact, about 80 percent of all breast lumps are not cancerous. However, if you do feel a lump in your breast, it's important to get it checked.

Why you should get screened for cervical cancer

In the United States, more than 12,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. The good news is that it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer if detected early enough. Pap smear tests can find cervical cancer at an early stage, when it is most curable, and even prevent the disease if precancerous lesions are found and treated. All women should begin getting a Pap test within three years of onset of sexual activity or at age 21, whichever comes first, and should be screened at least every three years.

An irregular Pap smear result does not always mean you have cancer; it can also be the result of a minor infection. Plus, it usually takes many years for pre-cancerous cervical cells to progress to cancer, and progression to cancer does not always occur. Your WHN counselor will help you get the testing you need to determine the cause of your problem and treat it appropriately.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, our counselors will be there to support you, as well as to help you obtain free or low-cost treatment services. They can also assist you as you make medical decisions and treatment choices. The WHN program can also provide case management, limited transportation services, support and counseling, and referrals.