Chapter 8

  Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP)

  Objectives
 Important Points

Objectives of the Chapter  

    After reading this chapter, you will be able to:

            ·  Explain the background of Michigan’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program  

            ·  Identify client eligibility criteria for Michigan BCCCP

           ·  Explain the services provided by BCCCP

           ·  Explain HAAP’s role in BCCCP promotion 

[Back to top]

  Important Points of the Chapter

 ·  BCCCP targets medically underserved women for screening services and education about breast and cervical cancer

 ·  Household income, lack of insurance, age, and gender determine eligibility

 ·  BCCCP provides free education and screening for breast and cervical cancer, diagnostic services, and treatment for eligible women.

8.1 Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer control Program

Since 1991, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has implemented a comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) with support from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Medically underserved women are targeted for education about early breast and cervical cancer detection as well as enrolled for free screening services.  Those women who have breast or cervical cancer will be identified at earlier stages of these diseases, when treatment is less expensive and the survival rate is more favorable³⁶.

  1. Eligibility

The BCCCP eligibility criteria varies from state to state.  Michigan’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program has the following requirements:

a.  Gender and Age: In Michigan, BCCCP provides free health screening for women who are 40 to 64 years old.

b.  Insurance: Women must be uninsured or underinsured.

c.  Income Eligibility: Eligible women have an income at or below the 250% Federal Poverty Income Guideline (please see the table 8.1a). 

  Table 8.1a

BCCCP 250% Federal Poverty Income Guidelines 2002*

* : (adjusted February of each year)  

2. Services provided by Michigan BCCCP

        There are three components to the services provided by Michigan’s BCCCP including screening, diagnostic screening and treatment.  The following services are covered for eligible women (Table 8.1b).

  Table 8.1b
The services covered by Michigan BCCCP since October 2001

*(1) Beginning from October 2001 (2) Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or  precancerous lesions through the BCCCP may qualify for Medicaid

3. Fees

    There is no charge for eligible women for these services.  For woman with insurance other than an HMO or Medicare, Part B, BCCCP will pick up that part of costs which is not covered by her primary health insurance.

[Back to top]

 8.2 HAAP’s BCCCP Promotion

    The Healthy Asian Americans Program (HAAP) at the University of Michigan School of Nursing initiated a health promotion program in 1996.  With funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Healthy Asian Americans Project (HAAP) launched promotion of the Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Programs (MI - BCCCP) in November 1999.
     In the past two fiscal years (from November 1999 to September 2001), HAAP sponsored or co-sponsored 40 health education seminars, health promotion events or both for more than 3,000 Asian residents in southeastern Michigan where 70% of Michigan’s Asian residents live. Moreover, HAAP successfully helped more than 300 medically underserved Asian women get screening through BCCCP.  These women are from seven sub-Asian groups.  80% of the patients are ethnic Chinese.  Working closely with BCCCP county offices, health care providers, local Asian communities, and bilingual volunteers, HAAP provides personalized assistance to the BCCCP clients who need help.
     HAAP fully encourages you to contact us to assist you with enrolling patients into BCCCP and scheduling appointments. HAAP office information is provided in the appendix.

[Back to top]

Back to Chapter 8