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COLUMBIA -- Cancer survivors and advocates today applauded members of the S.C. General Assembly for expanding the Best Chance Network, a program providing critical breast and cervical cancer screening for low-income, uninsured South Carolina women.

This first-ever state allocation of $2 million provides an additional 9,000 women with access to life-saving cancer screening. By September 1, 2008, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control will lower the Best Chance Network eligibility age from 47 to 40, making the program consistent with American Cancer Society screening guidelines.

"The Best Chance Network has provided 191,260 screenings since July of 1991," said DHEC Deputy Commissioner for Health Services Lisa F.  Waddell, M.D., MPH. "With the new funding there can be even more screenings and follow-ups to benefit women in our state."

Dr. Waddell said the Best Chance Network screened 8,858 women during the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Of that number, 1,222 were identified as having breast follow-ups with 74 percent having normal clinical breast exams but abnormal mammograms.

"On behalf of women and families throughout South Carolina impacted by breast and cervical cancer, we Thank the members of the State Legislature," said Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, breast cancer survivor and executive director of the Upstate Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and chair of the Advocacy and Policy Taskforce of the S.C. Cancer Alliance. "This funding will save the lives of many women in our state and ensure that fewer people will lose a loved one to these devastating diseases."

According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts and Figure 2008, an estimated 2,690 South Carolina women will be diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer this year, and 685 will die of these diseases. South Carolina ranks ninth in the country for deaths due to cervical cancer. The chances of surviving breast or cervical cancer increases dramatically if detected early. However, uninsured cancer patients are 60 percent more likely to die from cancer than those with insurance, due to in part to less access to screening, according to a study of all types of cancer by the American Cancer Society.

"The Best Chance Network's mission is to reduce deaths from breast and cervical cancer by funding comprehensive screening services for women who meet income and insurance eligibility criteria, thereby finding cancers at earlier and more curable stages," said Lynn Erdman, senior vice president of North Carolina and South Carolina for the American Cancer Society. "Being able to provide these services to more women, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 46 not previously covered by these services, will make a significant difference in the availability of healthcare for South Carolina women."

The Best Chance Network is a part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and implemented through the S. C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the American Cancer Society. Since 1991, the Best Chance Network has received federal funding to screen eligible women, but this is the first time state funds have been allocated for screening.

"Providing cancer screening and care for women who have no means to pay for these services is a giant step for South Carolina. This expanded program could not have happened without the commitment of a broad range of organizations and individuals working together to reduce the cancer burden in South Carolina," said John Ureda, Chair, South Carolina Cancer Alliance Coordinating Council.

The South Carolina Cancer Alliance, S.C. DHEC, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and American Cancer Society expressed their appreciation to the members of the South Carolina House and Senate for funding this critical expansion of breast and cervical cancer screening for South Carolina women. The best protection is early detection. Together we can make a

difference.

"As a woman living with breast cancer since 2004, I know first hand the impact this disease has on individuals and their families," said State Representative Cathy Harvin. "As a legislator, I am proud to have played a role in ensuring thousands of uninsured women will have access to lifesaving screening services for breast and cervical cancer through the Best Chance Network."

For more information or to find a Best Chance Network provider in your community, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 and ask about the Best Chance Network.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. You can learn more about Komen in South Carolina by visiting www.komenupstatesc.org and www.komenlowcountry.org.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. No matter who you are we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.

About the South Carolina Cancer Alliance The South Carolina Cancer Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is “to reduce the impact of cancer on ALL people in South Carolina”. The 1,100 members work to coordinate cancer control efforts and to strengthen and expand the capacity to address cancer issues in South Carolina. Visit www.sccanceralliance.org or call 1-866-745-5680.

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