The Best Chance Network: The South Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

Who We Are: The Best Chance Network (BCN), helps women who need to be screened for breast and cervical cancer, but do not have insurance or have insurance that only covers hospital care, are between the ages of 47 and 64, and meet certain income guidelines. The goal of the BCN program is to reduce mortality from breast and cervical cancer among medically underserved women in South Carolina. Click here for statistics on the problem of breast and cervical cancer in the United States and right here in South Carolina.

The Best Chance Network is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. The CDC has provided funds for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) since 1991. South Carolina was one of the first states to take part in the NBCCEDP in 1991.

What We Do: BCN provides free screenings for breast and cervical cancer to women who meet the eligibility guidelines.

Below Is A List Of The Comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Services That BCN Offers:

How Do We Do This: BCN is a network of public and private partnerships. More than 250 health care providers: including federally-funded primary care centers in the SC Primary Health Care Association; private physicians, including surgeons and gynecologists; laboratories, university sponsored clinics, free clinics, regional medical centers and radiology facilities provide screening and follow up services. Community partners include over 800 volunteers, many of them members of local task forces who assist in referring women to screening sites.

In 1995, the American Cancer Society (ACS), South-Atlantic Division, joined with DHEC to provide the coordination of BCN services with providers, including professional education, and outreach and recruitment of eligible women into the program. In 2005, a new partnership was established with Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services (PALSS) to provide outreach and recruitment services to high risk women in 5 counties in central SC. DHEC oversees BCN administration and management, contractual agreements for screening and follow-up services, case management, quality assurance, tracking, surveillance, and program evaluation.

Click here to access contract information

Click here to access BCN Clinical Protocols

In October 2000, Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, providing federal matching funds for treatment of women screened through the CDC program. Since 2001, South Carolina has allocated state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to participate. Women screened through BCN continue to be eligible for Medicaid coverage for treatment of breast cancer, cervical cancer, and pre-cancerous conditions. To determine if you are eligible for the Best Chance Network, refer to the table below.

In July 2005, the State Legislature appropriated additional funding to expand the Medicaid coverage for breast and cervical treatment to women who are under the age of 65 who and are not enrolled in the BCN program if they meet the income and insurance guidelines outlined in the last section. Guidelines and applications can be found at www.dhhs.state.sc.us. If you have questions or need help in completing the Medicaid application you may call 1-888-549-0820.

The CDC has recently released the first programmatic summary report on the National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for 1991-2002. This national report summarizes the first 12 years of the NBCCEDP. It provides information on the program's framework, history, and future directions, in addition to data on breast and cervical cancer screening outcomes for women served through the program. In South Carolina, this program is the Best Chance Network, administered through SC-Department of Health and Environmental Control, Division of Cancer Prevention & Control.

SC - BREAST & CERVICAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION PROGRAM
BEST CHANCE NETWORK
INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR THE PERIOD OF 6/30/07 – 6/29/08
Family Size
Scale < 200%
Patient Pays 0%
Annual Income
1
$20,420 or less
2
$27,380 or less
3
$34,340 or less
4
$41,300 or less
5
$48,260 or less
6
$55,220 or less
7
$62,180 or less
8
$69,140 or less
Note: Add $6,960 for each additional family member.
The family size and income should be reviewed with the patient annually and documented on the BCN enrollment form.

If you think either you or someone you know may qualify for these services, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 and ask about the Best Chance Network.

Remember!! Early Detection is the Best Protection . . . Every year for life.

"National Report on the National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: 1991-2002"
To download a copy of this report (88 pages in pdf format 921 KB) click here.

For additional information contact:
Mary Kelly, Quality Assurance Coordinator - (803) 545-4102 or
Jan Viars, Program Director - (803) 545-4145
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Bureau of Community Health and Chronic Disease Prevention
SC DHEC
1777 St Julian Place
Columbia, SC 29211