Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow out of control.  Untreated cancer, breast cancer can cause serious illness and even death. 

How is breast cancer found?

Breast cancers can be found during a series of tests performed by health care professionals.  Generally, a provider will do a clinical breast examination followed by a mammogram.  Further tests may be done if anything abnormal is found.

What is a clinical breast examination?

Your health care provider will perform a clinical breast examination in his or her office.  This exam is usually done every year during your physical examination. 

What is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is a special picture of the breast.  To take the picture your health care provider will place your breast between two x-ray plates. For less than a minute there may be a little discomfort at as image is captured.  The x-ray from the mammogram does not cause cancer.

Key Points

• Women age 40 and older should have mammograms every 1 to 2 years.
• Women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer should talk with their health care providers about whether to have mammograms before age 40 and how often to have them.

Cervical Cancer

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer occurs when the cells lining the cervix begin to grow out of control.

How is cervical cancer found?

Your health care provider will perform a Pelvic examination and a Pap smear to take cells from your cervix.  Those cells are then tested by a laboratory to see if there are any abnormal cells.

Project WISH

The District provides free breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic follow-up for eligible women through Project Women Into Staying Healthy (WISH).   Project WISH also provides patient navigation, transportation assistance, and cancer education to all women enrolled in the project. 

Who is Eligible for Project WISH?

District of Columbia women who are uninsured and underinsured and between the ages of 21 and 64 are eligible for Project WISH. Call (202) 442-5900 for more information.

Click here for the Referral Form
Contact email: [email protected]

For All DC Residents

For more information about free prevention, screening, and health services please call the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP) at (202) 442-9170. 

Select from the following links for more information about breast cancer.

•     American Cancer Society
•     DC Goes Pink
•     National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations
•     National Breast Cancer Coalition
•     National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
•     National Cancer Institute
•     Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
•     Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Select from the following links for more information about cervical cancer.

•     American Cancer Society
•     National Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program
•     National Cervical Cancer Coalition