Women's Way

If you would like to learn more about Women's Way please email Randa Eldred or call her at (701) 774-6400.

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What is Women's Way?

Women's Way provides a way to pay for most breast and cervical cancer screenings and is
available to eligible North Dakota women.  The program is made possible by funding from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women 40 and older can receive a yearly mammogram because of the ND State Legislature.

What is available ?

Eligible women ages 40 through 49 can receive:

   •  Clinical breast exams
   •  Pap tests
   •  Pelvic exams

Eligible women ages 50 through 64 can receive:

     •  Mammograms
     •  Clinical breast exams
     •  Pap tests
     •  Pelvic exams

Breast Self-Exam, Clinical Breast Exam and Mammogram

The American Cancer Society recommends women begin having mammograms annually starting at age 40. A clinical breast exam should be part of a woman's periodic health examination, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and annually for women 40 and older. Women should report any breast change promptly to their healthcare provider. Breast self exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.

Pelvic Exam and Pap Test

The American Cancer Society recommends cervical cancer screening should begin three years after a woman begins having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years of age Screening should be done every year with regular Pap tests or every two years using a liquid based Pap test. At or after age 30, women who have had three normal tests in a row may get screened every two to three years. However, healthcare providers may suggest a woman get screened more often if she has certain risk factors such as HIV infection or a weakened immune system. Women 70 and older who have had three or more consecutive normal Pap tests and no abnormal results in the last 10 years may choose to stop cervical cancer screening.

Who Qualifies?

To take part in this program, certain income and insurance guidelines apply:

Women’s Way 2007 Income Guidelines

Each additional   6,960 per year

Or       $580 per month