Cancer Screenings for Women Without Insurance

The Best Chance Network (BCN) was established in 1991 to provide free cervical and breast cancer screenings for women who lack insurance or whose insurance only covers hospital care.

South Carolina currently ranks 19th in the nation in breast cancer deaths and 8th in cervical cancer deaths, with one of the country’s highest rates of uninsured women.

Charter and Goals

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and coordinated by the American Cancer society in conjunction with SC DHEC, BCN partners with more than 250 health care providers, both public and private, to provide the following services free-of-charge to women between the ages of 40 and 64 who meet certain income guidelines:

• Screening services: mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap smears and pelvic exams
• Diagnostic procedures
• Case management
• Community education on breast/cervical cancer and early detection

Easily Accessible

In order to ensure that the program is easily accessible and best meets the needs of the women we serve, BCN screening partners are strategically placed at community medical centers throughout our health district.

In addition, Dr. Lynn Tucker of Lexington Surgical Associates is formally designated as a Best Chance Network surgeon for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.