Breast and Cervical Cancer Services

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS) program provides funding to clinics across the state that give high-quality and accessible breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to women. Eligible clients receive these services free of charge. Regular screening tests can find precancerous tissue or cancer early, when treatment is likely to work best.

Services

The BCCS program provides numerous services for early detection of breast and cervical cancers.

Screening

  • Clinical breast exam: A health care provider, such as a doctor or nurse, looks at and feels the breast and underarms for skin changes or lumps.
  • Screening mammogram: An X-ray picture of the breast used to find breast cancer.
  • Pelvic exam: A health care provider, such as a doctor or nurse, looks at and feels the outside and inside of the vagina and genital area for changes associated with cancer or other problems.
  • Pap test (pap smear): A test that checks the cervix for abnormal cells.
  • HPV test: The test looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
  • Patient navigation and education.

Diagnostic

  • Diagnostic mammogram: An X-ray picture of the breast used to find cancer. This mammogram provides additional pictures using different angles than a screening mammogram. A diagnostic mammogram often is performed if an area needs to be seen more clearly than a screening mammogram.
  • Breast ultrasound: A test that uses soundwaves to take a picture of the inside of the breast.
  • Breast biopsy: Removal of a small amount of tissue from the breast to check for abnormal cells.
  • Colposcopy: A health care provider looks at the cervix with a special microscope.
  • Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure (LEEP): Treatment to remove precancerous cells from the cervix.
  • Cervical biopsy: Removal of a small amount of abnormal tissue from the cervix.
  • Patient navigation and education.

Cervical Dysplasia Management and Treatment

Follow-up services and treatment of abnormal cells found on the cervix are as follows:

  • Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP): Treatment to remove precancerous cells from the cervix.
  • Cervical cryotherapy: Freezing and removing abnormal cervical cells.
  • Cervical conizations: Treating abnormal cervical cells by removing a cone-shaped area of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal.
  • Patient navigation and education.

Help Applying for Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC) 

MBCC is a Medicaid program that helps women get treatment for breast and cervical cancers. Services include:

  • Initial screening for eligibility;
  • determination of a qualifying diagnosis;
  • help filling out the application; and
  • patient navigation and education.

Client Eligibility

You may qualify for BCCS if you:

  • Live in Texas;
  • are a woman 18 or older;
  • don’t have health insurance or are underinsured;
  • have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

You may qualify for MBCC if you meet all the following criteria:

  • Have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer;
  • need treatment for breast or cervical cancer;
  • live in Texas;
  • are a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant;
  • are between 18 and 64 years old;
  • don’t have health insurance;
  • have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level

Handbooks

Rules and Legislation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides low-income, uninsured and underserved women access to timely breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services.

As a grantee of the NBCCEDP, HHSC is partly funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Congress established the NBCCEDP in 1991 by enacting the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-354). NBCCEDP was reauthorized in April 2007.

State Rules

Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 371, Breast and Cervical Cancer Services

Federal Legislation

Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000

Contact Information

Mailing Address

Breast and Cervical Cancer Services Program  
North Austin Complex, MC 0224  
4601 W. Guadalupe Street, Suite 4.507  
Austin, TX 78751-2920

Helpline   
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time   
Monday through Friday   
Phone: 512-776-7796  
Fax: 512-776-7203  
Email: BCCSProgram@hhsc.state.tx.us