UC-Davis Offers Free Prostate Cancer Screening in Conjunction With State Treatment Program
The University of California-Davis has "committed some of its own money" to screen men for prostate cancer in connection with a state-funded program that provides treatment for low-income men diagnosed with the disease, the Sacramento Bee reports. Through IMPACT, or Improving Access, Counseling and Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer, uninsured men who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare and have annual incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level, or $17,180 for an individual, can receive prostate cancer treatment and up to 18 months of follow-up care. Funding for the three-year, $50 million program comes from the state's general fund and a portion of the national tobacco settlement. The program currently does not provide screenings for prostate cancer (Crump, Sacramento Bee, 3/4). The Legislature has approved a statewide prostate cancer screening program, but it remains unfunded (California Healthline, 7/12/01). UC-Davis began participating in the IMPACT program last October; the University of California-Los Angeles and the University of California-San Francisco also offer prostate cancer treatment through the program. According to Julie Darr, an administrative analyst for the program, African-American men ages 40 and older who have a family history of prostate cancer should undergo screening, which consists of a blood test. Prostate cancer is more prevalent among African-American men than white men. Men from other ethnic groups who are ages 50 and older also should be tested even if they do not have a family history of prostate cancer, Darr said (Sacramento Bee, 3/4).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.