What is the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC)?
The Women’s Wellness Connection is a grant provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This grant allows Denver Health to provide breast and cervical cancer screenings to women at no cost to the patient.
WWC also covers the cost of most of the follow-up tests that are needed if you have an abnormal screening test. Some women may also be able to get a free Lyft ride to their screening appointment. For more details, contact our Care Navigator at 303‐602‐6115.
Who qualifies for free cancer screenings through WWC?
Women who live in Colorado and meet the following criteria have access to free screenings through WWC:
- Uninsured or under-insured
- At or below 250 percent of the federal poverty line
- Between the ages of 40-64 for breast health services
- Between the ages of 21-64 for cervical health services
If you’re uncertain if you meet these program requirements, contact our Care Navigator at 303‐602‐6115. We’ll work with you to identify all possible funding options.
How do I sign up for WWC?
Contact Denver Health Enrollment Services at 303-602-2300 for assistance in enrolling in the WWC program.
You can also contact us online by completing the six- question form below.
Online Mammogram Scheduling
Currently a Denver Health patient? You can now schedule your mammogram through your MyChart account, no referral needed. If you lack transportation to your appointment, please contact our Care Navigators at 303‐602‐6115, who can schedule transportation services.
New to Denver Health? please fill out this form with your information and one of Care Navigators will call you to schedule a cervical (Pap) or mammogram screening appointment.
How does screening for breast and cervical cancer work?
All people assigned female at birth are at risk of breast cancer. Early detection saves lives. Breast cancer screening at Denver Health is performed by taking a low-dose X-ray of both breasts. This test is called a mammogram. When to receive a mammogram? Starting at age 45, you should get a mammogram every year or every other year. If you are between the ages of 40 – 45 you have the option to start screening mammograms every year. Talk to your provider to discuss what is best for you.
Cervical cancer screening is done as part of a Pap smear test. People assigned female at birth typically get a Pap test every three years starting at the age of 25 with either a PAP/HPV test or primary HPV testing every 5 years. We recommend people younger than 27 to receive the HPV vaccine.
Online Mammogram Scheduling
Currently a Denver Health patient? You can now schedule your mammogram through your MyChart account, No referral needed. If you lack transportation to your appointment, please contact our Care Navigators at 303‐602‐6115, who can schedule a Lyft pickup
Why is it important to get mammograms and Pap smears?
Breast and cervical cancer are both easier to treat when they are caught early. Identifying cancer and pre-cancers in early stages increase the chances of a woman surviving the disease.
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are two of the most common cancers in women.
In the United States, nearly a quarter-million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Cervical cancer is less common, but one in four women diagnosed die from the disease.
Early detection of these cancers can often save a woman’s life. Many women with breast or cervical cancer don’t experience any symptoms. This means that without testing, they might not know they have cancer until the disease progresses to an advanced stage.
Regular mammograms and pap smears can also sometimes identify abnormalities before they develop into cancer. This can allow a woman to get preventative care right away.
What happens if I’m diagnosed with cancer?
If you have lived in the U.S. for five years, you might quality for a special kind of Medicaid called Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) to cover your health care while you get treatment.
Cancer Screening Locations at Denver Health
Breast screenings are available at Denver Health’s main campus (Pavilion A, Women’s Imaging) and at the Women’s Mobile Clinic.
Cervical screenings are performed at a number of Denver Health Family Health Centers throughout the Denver Metro area.
To schedule your visit at any of our locations, call our appointment line at 303-436-4949. You can also schedule your appointment online.
