Louisiana has one of the highest breast cancer death rates in the country. With regular screening, breast cancer can often be found and stopped early.
We make sure women who qualify get no-cost mammograms and the help they need to get screened (including financial help and transportation). We also provide online support to young breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. In addition, we educate women, providers, legislators, and others around the state to beat breast cancer in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program (LBCHP) provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings (including mammograms and Pap tests) to Louisiana women who qualify.
If you are uninsured, cannot afford the copay, lack transportation, or face a barrier of any kind, please contact us. Our patient navigators are standing by to help. Visit the site for more information on the services we offer and to find out if you are eligible.
SurviveDAT provides online resources and support to young breast cancer survivors and the people who love and care for them. These young women under age 40 often face much different issues than those who get the disease at later ages. And because African American women are more likely to get breast cancer young, the South is more affected, making our local resources even more valuable. Visit the site to find advice, survivor stories, information and more.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Louisiana and the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state only 5 – 10% of breast cancer is hereditary. Meaning you can still get it, even if there is no history of it in your family.
In Louisiana, black women are diagnosed more frequently and are more likely to die from breast cancer than the national average. That fact, and a lack of care, are two main reasons why Louisiana has such a high breast cancer death rate.
The American Cancer Society says the disease is more rare in males – striking about 1 in 833 men. Black men are affected more than white men, just as black women are affected more than white women.
In addition to not being screened regularly, being overweight or obese, and using alcohol increases your chance of getting breast cancer.
Even at Stage III, the survival rate is 72%. Regular screenings are the number one way to prevent breast cancer deaths.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurers to pay for annual mammograms starting at age 40, with no deductibles or co-insurance.
The main reason women die from breast cancer is a lack of regular screening. Our LBCHP program provides no-cost mammograms to Louisiana women who qualify based on age, income and insurance status. LBCHP offers screening for:
Even women with insurance who are not able to afford all screening costs (such as a co-pay), need transportation assistance, etc. may also get help through LBCHP (call 1-888-599-1073 or visit lbchp.org).
Health experts have slightly different guidelines as to what age and how often women should get screened. For example:
If you have a family history and/or are showing symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about getting screened. Symptoms include:
Breast cancer treatment is changing rapidly and advancing quickly. Be sure you understand all your options before starting treatment. Both the CDC and Susan G. Komen offer excellent treatment education resources. Visit their sites to learn more:
You can’t help getting older and can’t change your family history, but you can lower your risk of cancer by taking care of your health. Things like getting enough exercise and maintaining a healthy weight will reduce your risk. There are many, everyday choices you can make to help lower your risk and improve your chances of surviving if you do develop cancer. Learn more on our Cancer Risk Factors page.
Every five years, we partner with other state health organizations to produce the Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan (aka “The State Cancer Plan”). This extensive document contains statistics on preventable cancers, as well as screening recommendations, goals, objectives, and strategies to beat cancer. Download a copy here.
Want to know how many women in Louisiana get breast cancer each year? How many are dying from it? Is it affecting white or black women more? The Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR) is one of the top-ranked cancer registries in the United States. It is housed at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, right alongside us here at LCP. Visit their site to find current, Louisiana-specific breast cancer data.
LHCCs are grassroots organizations working locally to help communities make healthy choices. Chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are what most people die of – and tobacco use and obesity are the leading causes of chronic disease. Louisiana neighborhoods, towns and cities are deciding for themselves how they want to fight these killers and we are here to help. LCP provides resources to these grassroots organizations, whether they’re trying to go smoke-free or creating more bike lanes. Learn More on the Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition site.
We make sure women who qualify get no-cost mammograms and the help they need to get screened (including financial help and transportation). We also provide online support to young breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. In addition, we educate women, providers, legislators, and others around the state to beat breast cancer in Louisiana.
Learn MoreNo one should ever die from cervical cancer, which is why we provide no-cost Pap tests to Louisiana women who qualify. We also educate people at all levels – including parents, doctors, the general public and more – to make sure boys and girls are getting the HPV vaccine to prevent cancers (including cervical) after they’re grown.
Learn MoreCatch colorectal cancer early and it’s more than 90% survivable. That’s why everyone 45 and over should be screened. But Louisiana has a special problem with the disease and that is why everyone should learn why we are more vulnerable and what we at LCP are doing about it.
Learn MoreLung cancer is the easiest cancer to prevent. So why is it the #1 cancer killer in Louisiana? More than 80% of lung cancers are caused by smoking, and that includes those killed by secondhand smoke. Learn how to quit, the dangers of secondhand smoke and e-cigs, and what we can do to save ourselves!
Learn More