Project WISH
DC Health 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 (as well as surrounding Maryland and Virigina counties) residents who are uninsured and underinsured and between the ages of 21 and 64 are eligible for Project WISH.
How do I contact Project WISH?
- Call: (202) 442-5900
- Refer yourself to the program: Fill out short form (Click here for the Referral Form) and a Project WISH provider will reach out to you within 3-5 business days.
- Email: [email protected]
Breast Cancer
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in US and occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow in an uncontrolled way.
How is breast cancer found?
- Breast cancers can be found during a series of tests, also called screenings, performed by health care professionals.
- Screening is critical to detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable.
- 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?
- A physical exam of the breast performed by a health care provider to check for lumps or other changes.
- 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 as the image is captured.
- The x-ray from the mammogram does not cause cancer.
Who is eligible to have a breast cancer screening?
- 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 in an uncontrolled way.
- Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex.
How is cervical cancer found?
Cervical cancer can be found with screening tests. Screening is critical to detect cervical cancer early when it is most treatable.
If you are 21-29 years:
- You should start getting Pap tests. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait 3 years until your next Pap test.
If you are 30-65 years old:
Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you.
- An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait 5 years until your next screening test.
- An HPV test along with a Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait 5 years until your next screening test.
- A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait 3 years until your next Pap test
Local Resources:
- DC Health Link: Affordable healthcare coverage program in accordance with Affordable Care Act for DC residents. All D.C. residents can access medical insurance to pay for the cost of preventative cancer screenings.
- LinkU: Comprehensive platform to identify medical care, food, and housing resources in the DC Metropolitan area.
- DC Quit Now: Offers no-cost programs, medications, and tips from former DC smokers that can help you stay tobacco-free.
- DC Cancer Coalition: Join this group of non-profits, health systems, academia, and government agencies in supporting the DC Cancer Control Plan.
- DC Cancer Control Plan (PDF)
National Resources:
American Cancer Society: Focused on cancer research, advocacy and policy, education, prevention, and resources for patient support.
Center for Disease Control: Supports the National Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program.
National Cancer Institute: Focused on cancer research and training.