Breaking Down Barriers to Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening for Women in Baltimore City.

Early detection saves lives, but for many women in Baltimore City, getting screened for breast and cervical cancer is far from simple. Insurance limitations, transportation challenges, language barriers, financial strain—or simply not knowing where to start— often stand between women and the preventive care they need.

For more than two decades, MedStar Health has expanded access to lifesaving cancer screenings through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. Through the program, funded by the State of Maryland and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MedStar Harbor Hospital provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to uninsured and underinsured women in Baltimore City and the surrounding region.

“We serve a very vulnerable patient population. Many of our patients are uninsured with limited health literacy,” explains Nakia Steen, clinical coordinator for our Breast and Cervical Cancer program at MedStar Harbor Hospital. “Without programs like ours, many individuals would not receive the essential services needed for early detection or prevention.”

Women learn about the program from MedStar Health caregivers, through Federally Qualified Health Centers, by contacting the program directly, or through the Maryland Department of Health website. Once someone reaches out, staff determine eligibility based on state-specific income and insurance requirements, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and guide participants through the health system. Women aged 40-64 can access breast cancer screenings, while those aged 21-64 qualify for cervical cancer screenings.

"Our goal is to identify cancers at an early stage; delays often result in diagnosis at later, more advanced stages," says Steen. For that reason, timing matters. MedStar Health typically schedules appointments within two to three weeks of enrollment, with emergency appointments typically arranged within the same week.

When screening results indicate the need for follow-up, the program schedules the recommended diagnostics. These follow-up services are fully covered by the program—preventing surprise bills and difficult choices between health and financial stability.

"Through this program, we've been able to identify cancers that otherwise would have gone undiagnosed, allowing patients to receive timely treatment and significantly improve their outcomes," says Steen.

Since 2025, the program has served more than 1,500 women. The numbers tell an important story: On average, approximately 10% of women screened through the program are asked to return for additional follow-up or biopsies related to their breast screening, while 5% require follow-up for cervical screenings.

Each woman connected to the program represents a crucial screening that might not have happened otherwise—and potentially a cancer caught early, and a life saved. By empowering women with timely information, reliable access, and coordinated support, the program is building a healthier community.