Care For Yourself

Care for Yourself, Iowa’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, is part of a national program to help reduce the number of deaths caused by breast and cervical cancer. Early detection is the most effective way to fight these cancers. To do this, women must have regular screening tests. Through Care for Yourself, eligible women in Iowa may receive mammograms, clinic breast exams and Pap tests at low or no cost. The Care for Yourself program also pays for some diagnostic services. 

The Care for Yourself program services women ages 50 to 64 that meet the income guidelines. Some women under 50 or over 64 may be eligible for some services. 

To find out if you qualify, call your local Care for Yourself Program:

Healthy Linn Care Network
Women’s Health Network
PO Box 3026
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3026
(319) 369-7791 or 1-800-369-2229

Several physicians participate with this program including many MercyCare Community Physicians. Ask for the MercyCare physician nearest you.

Quick Facts:

1. Early detection is a women’s best protection against breast and cervical cancer.
2. Cervical cancer is preventable and when found and treated early can be cured.
3. Being a woman and aging are the biggest risk factors for breast cancer.
4. Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Iowa (claiming nearly 500 lives each year.)
5. African American, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian/Pacific Islander women have a higher death rate from cervical cancer.  Vietnamese women get cancer of the cervix more often than other women.
6. Most women who develop breast cancer do not have a strong family history.
7. Regular Pap testing detects cervical cancer early.