Since 1992, BCCP has provided more than 282,135 mammograms and 154,303 Pap tests to eligible women in Maryland.  During this time period, the program has diagnosed 2195 breast and 88 cervical cancers, linking those diagnosed to treatment resources. BCCP is federally funded through a Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and also receives state funding.

Screening Services:

Each jurisdiction or region in the state has been awarded grants through local health departments or hospitals to coordinate the provision of breast and cervical cancer screening through outreach, education, and follow-up services. Local jurisdictions contract with private physicians, radiologists, surgeons, and medical laboratories to perform screening services. Services are offered through a network of more than 950 private providers and community health centers throughout the state. There is a coordinator in each jurisdiction who, along with other staff, arranges for these services for eligible patients. 

Patient Navigation Services:

Some women experience obstacles to completing their regular cancer screening tests, even if they have health insurance. To address this challenge, BCCP began offering patient navigation services in July 2015 for women who meet program eligibility criteria, but have Medical Assistance or private insurance that fully pays for breast and cervical cancer screening services. Women who have Medicare (Part A and/or B) may also be eligible for patient navigation services if they meet other program eligibility criteria. Staff from the BCCP local programs may be able to help women with:

Professional Development:

The Maryland BCCP provides professional development to advance health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about breast and cervical cancer screening and early detection; promote current program guidelines for breast and cervical cancer screening; disseminate evidence-based breast and cervical cancer prevention and early detection education materials to providers and program staff; and build professional development resources through partnerships with professional organizations and academic institutions.​

Quality Assurance:

Quality assurance measures are in place to assure that high quality program services are delivered and reported in a timely and standardized manner.  A Medical Advisory Committee oversees and regulates these quality assurance measures.  The Medical Advisory Committee developed the Minimal Clinical Elements for Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis (Breast MCEs) and Minimal Clinical Elements for Cervical Cancer Detection and Diagnosis (Cervical MCEs) which provide guidance to the program regarding screening and follow-up services.  

All radiology facilities participating in this program are required to be accredited by the American College of Radiology and certified under the federal Mammography Quality Standardization Act (MQSA). Mammography facilities are required to report their mammography results using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon of the American College of Radiology.  All medical laboratories participating in this program are required to be enrolled in a  cytology proficiency testing program approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and meet the requirements of the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act. Laboratories are required to report their Pap test results using the Bethesda System nomenclature.

Partnerships:

The Maryland BCCP has developed numerous partnerships and coalitions at both the state and local levels.  Baltimore City and each of Maryland's 23 counties have developed local cancer coalitions which include the local BCCP and other community organizations.  All local programs have partnered with local physicians, radiology facilities and a cytology lab to provide CBEs, mammograms and Pap tests to BCCP clients.  At the state and local level, BCCP works closely with the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Maryland for the purpose of providing education, outreach, and screening for breast and cervical cancer among Maryland women.​

Resources for more information:

National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer

National Cancer Institute: Cervical Cancer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Breast Cancer

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)

Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Program 

Ready for your cancer screening?  Call us: 1-800-477-9774.