DECATUR - Illinois officials are encouraging underserved women at risk of breast and cervical cancer to take steps that could save their lives.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which occurs each October, uninsured women who sign up for the free screenings offered through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program are eligible to receive a special incentive from Walgreens, according to a recent news release. The pharmacy chain has teamed up with the program to offer $25 gift cards for those women who call the Women's Health Line to schedule their screening appointments.

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Program, which has screened about 78,000 women, is for uninsured Illinois women who are between the ages of 35 and 64. According to the program's Web site, www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov, younger women who display symptoms may be eligible for some of its services.

To enroll in the program, women who qualify should call the line at 1-888-522-1282 to learn more about the eligibility requirements and the screening process. They also have the option of calling the local agency overseeing the program in their area.

According to the IBCCP Web site, the Logan County Health Department is responsible for administering the program in Cass, DeWitt, Logan, Macon, Mason, Morgan, Piatt and Shelby Counties. The office can be reached at 735-2317, ext. 250.

A recent news release from the office of Gov. Rod Blagojevich also stated that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has approved the coverage of genetic testing and counseling for women enrolled in Illinois Medicaid whose family history puts them at risk for breast cancer.

These women can now get genetic counseling to help them determine if a test is necessary to look for the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which can signal an increased risk for developing breast cancer.

agetsinger@herald-review.com|421-6968