Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

The Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP), also known as Every Woman's Life strives to reduce sickness and death from breast and cervical cancer through screening exams.

The program contracts with screening sites throughout Virginia to provide free mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap tests and pelvic exams to women who qualify.  

For detailed information about eligibility guidelines for the Every Woman's Life program, please click HERE. To locate the contact information of the screening provider site nearest you, click HERE.

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About the Every Woman's Life Program

The program operates under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990, Public Law 101-354. This Act authorized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and implement a national program to ensure that eligible woman receive regular screening tests for breast and cervical cancer and prompt follow-up when necessary. The screening tests are performed in accordance with current national recommendations.

National legislation does not directly permit payment for cancer treatment with CDC funds. However, the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2001 allows women who have been enrolled in the Virginia BCCEDP and diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer by a contracted provider, to be enrolled in the state Medicaid program for payment of treatment services. Ongoing activities of state, community and local coalitions have also identified resources and networks of generous providers who ensure that women receive needed treatment.

Virginia is one of 68 state, territorial and tribal organizations that receive funding from the CDC to implement a comprehensive breast and cervical cancer detection program for older women. To be eligible, women must be between the ages of 50 - 64, meet federal income guidelines, and be uninsured or underinsured. Additional funds earmarked by the Virginia General Assembly allow the Every Woman's Life program to provide diagnostic testing to eligible women between the ages of 18-49 who are symptomatic for breast or cervical cancer.

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