For women with low incomes and no health insurance, it can be difficult to access vital preventative cancer screenings. A program at Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic is addressing that problem, helping hundreds of women each year through the Wisconsin Well Woman Program, which is part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
“The Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 64,” explained Maria Estrada, coordinator for the program. “These women would otherwise not have access to these screenings, which can save lives by detecting cancer at an early stage.”
The program is funded by grants from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
“We also provide services that are not covered by the program, such as cardiovascular disease screening, lifestyle goal setting and support for cardiovascular risk reduction. These services are funded by donors.”
Mammograms are recommended annually for women over the age of 40, while cervical screenings are recommended until age 64.
“Sometimes women don’t think these screenings are an important part of their health care, but if cancer is caught early, it can be lifechanging,” said Maria. “So, we educate women about the importance of preventative care. Even if we feel physically fine, there could still be a problem.”
Each year, the clinic offers screenings for approximately 300 women, and the number of patients grows each year. Without the program, it would be difficult for patients like Rosalba to access this preventative care.
“This program has made it possible for me to be up to date on my breast and cervical cancer screenings,” she explained. “I have needed to see the breast specialist, and without the program I would not be able to afford the visits. This program has been lifechanging because it's helped me get the care I have needed.”
For Maria, her work is deeply personal.
“I lost an aunt to breast cancer and a sister-in-law to cervical cancer, so these are important issues for me,” she shared. “I’m grateful that the work I do helps more women get the screenings and care they need before cancer progresses.”
How you can help
Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic is the largest free clinic in Wisconsin and has been serving the Milwaukee community for over 30 years, providing health care to patients and families who are uninsured, have low incomes and have limited options for care.
Donor support would help expand the Wisconsin Well Woman Program to provide recommended routine cervical cancer screenings for women under the age of 40. Please consider making a gift today.