lIinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP)
The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) connects women and people assigned female at birth to breast and cervical cancer screening services at no cost.
Eligibility
If you are a woman or a person who was
assigned female at birth, regardless of income,
you can receive free services if you:
- Live in Illinois
- 40 years of age or older (for breast cancer
screening services) - 21 years of age or older (for cervical
cancer screening services) - Uninsured
- Underinsured (insurance doesn’t cover the
cost of screening or diagnostics) - Younger than the above age categories or
men having symptoms (like breast lump or
pain) - High risk for breast or cervical cancer at
any age
Prairie State Women’s Health is the lead agency in our area for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program, covering 28 counties, including the following:
- Clark
- Coles
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- Douglas
- Edgar
- Effingham
- Jasper
- Moultrie
Montgomery County Health Department
Prairie State Women’s Health
Shannon Brauer (Nurse Coordinator)
11191 Illinois Route 185
Hillsboro, IL 62049
1-800-721-7734
1-217-532-2001
IBCCP is available in every county in Illinois. If you do not live in one of the counties listed, please call the Women’s Health Line at 1-888-522-1282 to find out where you can enroll.
You may also visit the IBCCP website.
What is the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program?
The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to eligible women. Even if a woman has already been diagnosed with cancer, she may receive free treatment through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services if she qualifies. No income requirements apply. The program has been providing breast and cervical cancer screenings to the women of Illinois since 1995.
Why are regular screenings so important?
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. However, if it is detected while still in its earlier stages, breast cancer can be successfully treated. Routine mammograms and breast exams can detect cancer early and provide women with better treatment options and results.
The most important thing you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get two doses of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine early (children ages 11 – 12 years) and have regular screenings (Pap and HPV tests). These tests can identify any abnormal changes that could develop into cancer.
The FDA Office of Women’s Health states that women should begin receiving annual mammograms at age 40, and all women should be getting Pap tests by the time they are 21 years old.
Does the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offer any treatment options?
Women enrolled in the IBCCP and diagnosed with cancer through the program’s screenings and tests are eligible to receive treatment benefits through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. *some restrictions apply
If a woman is not enrolled in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program but has been diagnosed with cancer, can she still receive free treatment?
Yes, women who meet IBCCP eligibility requirements but are diagnosed outside the current IBCCP sites can receive the same coverage through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. This gives women more choices and also avoids penalizing women who did not know about the program but who were screened and diagnosed by their doctor, community health center, or other health care facility.
How do I apply for benefits through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program?
- To enroll in IBCCP, women can call the Women’s Health Line 888-522-1282 (800-547-0466 TTY). The Women’s Health Line will be able to walk women through the eligibility requirements and the screening process.
- Women also can contact their local IBCCP agency and schedule an appointment.
- If you are a medical provider and your client has no insurance and is diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer or a precancerous cervical condition and appears to be IBCCP eligible, or if you are a woman diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer who may qualify for treatment at no cost call the Women’s Health Line 888-522-1282 (800-547-0466 TTY).
For additional information, call the Women’s Health-Line toll free at 888-522-1282 (800-547-0466 TTY)