THE KSN DREAM HOUSE FOR THE CURE
Increasing funding for cancer detection by Anita CochranKSN News WICHITA, Kansas -- Raising money for the Susan G. Komen foundation is a big deal to us here at KSN because most of the money they spend is spent right here in Kansas -- on mammograms for women who can't afford them. In fact, we've learned the funding for the program that makes it possible is split between the federal government, the state government and Komen. Tonight we break it down, to show you exactly why we need more money. It's called Early Detection Works, the program that makes breast and cervical cancer screenings possible for those who are uninsured or low income. The federal government decided it's more cost effective to screen and detect early than deal with cancer diagnosis later, so they ponied up. In Kansas this year the Centers for Disease Control will spend $2.3 million on breast and cervical cancer screenings. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment chips in $230,000 and the Mid-Kansas Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate funds $297,000 statewide. "We diagnose about 450 women a year in Kansas -- Kansas women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer," said Sherry Haworth, Sedgwick County Health Department. "We screen about 7,600 but they estimate there's about 27,000 women that would qualify, so obviously there's a huge gap in funding." And, as of March 1st, there's a real problem. "We have used up our allocated funds from the federal government. We have a small amount set back to help women who are symptomatic but we just can't continue seeing women and spending money we don't already have." It's the fourth year in a row that the money has run dry and the screening mammograms have had to a stop. There is a push in Topeka to increase funding for these life-saving screenings. Senate Bill 540 includes 21 health-related proposals. One would take state funding for breast cervical cancer from $230,000 to $1.1 million a year. Another adds prostate and colon cancer screenings as well, at a cost of $5.2 million. Until that money is approved, there's nothing those on the front line can do but bide their time and pray that, for most women, three months isn't too long to go without their annual screening. It's important to repeat that some money was held back to give mammograms to women who have signs of breast cancer. If you ever find a lump or have any other symptom, do not hesitate to see your doctor. |
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