Cost shouldn’t keep you from getting important cancer screenings.

Regular breast and cervical cancer screenings can help find changes early—sometimes before you have any symptoms. But when you don’t have insurance, have limited coverage or are worried about the cost, it can be tempting to put those screenings off.

The Care for Yourself program helps eligible Iowans access free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Eastern Iowa Health Center can help you learn about the program, determine whether you may qualify and connect you with the screenings you need.

What Is Care for Yourself?

Care for Yourself is Iowa’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The program helps eligible people access important preventive cancer screenings at little or no cost.

Services available through the program may include:

• Clinical breast exams

• Mammograms

• Pap tests

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing

• Certain follow-up diagnostic services when needed

Our team can help you understand which services may be appropriate for you.

Why Are Cancer Screenings Important?

Cancer screening is designed to look for cancer or precancerous changes before symptoms develop.

Breast cancer screening can help find breast cancer earlier, when treatment may be more effective.

Cervical cancer screening, including Pap and HPV testing, can identify changes in cervical cells that may lead to cancer. Finding and treating precancerous changes can help prevent cervical cancer from developing.

Your healthcare provider can help you understand which screenings are recommended for you based on your age, health history and individual risk factors.

Who May Qualify?

Care for Yourself is available to eligible Iowans between 21 and 64 years of age.

Eligibility may depend on factors including:

• Age

• Household income

• Insurance coverage

• The type of screening or service needed

You may still be able to receive assistance if you have insurance but your coverage is limited or your out-of-pocket costs make recommended screenings difficult to afford.

Don’t assume you won’t qualify. Let our team help you explore your options.

What If I Don’t Have Health Insurance?

You may qualify for free or low-cost screening through Care for Yourself.

If you have no insurance, are underinsured or are concerned about what your insurance will cover, contact us. Our team can help you understand the program and determine your next step.

What If I Don’t Qualify?

We still want to help.

If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for Care for Yourself, our team can help connect you with other programs, resources or options that may make recommended healthcare more affordable.

The important thing is not to skip an important screening simply because you’re worried about the cost.

Take Care of Yourself

It can be easy to put your own healthcare at the bottom of the list. Cancer screening is one important way to make your health a priority.

If you’re due for a mammogram or cervical cancer screening—or you’re simply not sure what screenings you need—talk with our Women’s Health team.