What is the HealthyWoman Program?

The HealthyWoman Program (HWP) is a free breast and cervical cancer early detection program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It is funded by the Department of Health and through a grant the Department receives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What services can I receive through the HWP?

Free services for those meeting the eligibility standards include:

• Clinical breast examination
• Mammogram
• Pelvic examination and Pap smear
• Education on breast self-exam
• Follow-up diagnostic care for an abnormal result

How do I know if I'm eligible?

Eligibility At A Glance

• Women between the ages of 40-64
  • Under age 40 if symptomatic
  • Age 65 + if not enrolled in Medicare or only has Medicare Part A
• Annual family income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
• Uninsured or underinsured
  • screening(s) not covered, deductible too high

How do I apply for the HealthyWoman Program?

Bethlehem Health Bureau
10 E. Church Street
Bethlehem PA 18018
610-865-7083
Ask for the Healthy Woman Program

What happens if cancer is detected?

If breast or cervical cancer is detected through the HWP, women are able to receive free treatment through the Department of Public Welfare’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program. *

*There are eligibility guidelines that apply to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program.
Stay A Healthy Woman

What should I do to stay healthy?

Breast Health

The American Cancer Society recommends:

• Self breast examinations
  • Women should report any breast change promptly to their physician.
• Clinical breast examinations
  • Clinical breast exams should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
• Mammograms
  • Women should start yearly mammograms at age 40 and continue for as long as she is in good health.
• Women at increased risk for breast cancer should talk with their physician about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests, or having more frequent exams.

Cervical Health

The American Cancer Society recommends:

• Pelvic examinations
• Pap tests
  • Women should begin cervical cancer screening about three years after they become sexually active, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every two years using the newer liquid-based Pap test.
  • Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every two to three years with either the conventional (regular) or liquid-based Pap test. Women at increased risk should continue to be screened annually.
  • Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening, unless the surgery was done as treatment for cervical cancer or precancerous cells. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.