- Written by: Jennifer King
- Category: Press Room
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Learn more about prevention, screening, and locally available resources for those who are eligible through the Georgia Department of Pubic Health's Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP).
Breast and Cervical Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States—1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection gives a woman her best chance for survival. Early-stage cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms. Cervical cancer can be successfully prevented and treated if detected early through screening.
Women can protect themselves against breast and cervical cancer by asking their healthcare provider about three simple tests:
- Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast that can detect tumors.
- Pap Smears: A test that looks for unusual cell changes on the cervix that may become cancerous if not treated appropriately.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test: A screening test that looks for the presence of HPV, the virus that can cause cervical cancer.
The Georgia Department of Public Health provides breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services, and referral to treatment as medically indicated to uninsured and underinsured women residing in Georgia.
Eligibility
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides cancer screening services at no or low cost. You may qualify for program services if you are:
- A Georgia resident who meets the income criteria
- Uninsured or underinsured
- Ages 40-64 (breast services)
- Ages 21-64 or 65 and older if not enrolled in Medicare Part B (cervical services)
Services
Services provided by the Georgia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) include:
- Hits: 49
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
𝗙𝗹𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝙬𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮, making it especially important for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.
𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝘂 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝘂 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝟲𝟱+) are available through 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁.
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community during a severe flu season.
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗹𝘂 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨!
Find our locations and contact information here on our home page at www.nghd.org.
—En Español:
- Hits: 67
- Written by: Georgia Department of Public Health
- Category: Press Room
ATLANTA – Flu activity is widespread and severe in Georgia, and cases are likely to increase following the holidays and as Georgians return to work and school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also projects a severe flu season. If you have not gotten a flu shot yet and have no medical conditions preventing you from doing so, the Department of Public Health strongly urges you to take advantage of the health benefits the flu vaccine provides as soon as possible.
The CDC recommends that individuals over the age of six months receive a once-yearly flu vaccine – not just for their own protection, but to protect others around them who may be more vulnerable to the flu and its complications, including the elderly and immunocompromised. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so now is the time to get a flu shot. Even if you get the flu, the vaccine can help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and, in extreme cases, death. You may consult with a healthcare professional (such as a licensed medical doctor, nurse, or other practitioner) if you have questions about the flu shot.
The flu vaccine is widely available at public health departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, neighborhood clinics, and pharmacies.
Flu symptoms and their severity can vary from person to person and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people are at higher risk of developing serious complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant women, and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.
In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend antiviral drugs to treat the flu. Antiviral drugs are prescription medications and are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.
There are other tried and true measures you can take to help prevent the spread of flu:
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
We wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and HAPPY 2026!
All our Public Health departments, offices, programs, and services are closed today in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties, but we look forward to serving you tomorrow!
Learn all about us at www.nghd.org
---En Español:
¡Les deseamos a usted y a sus seres queridos un 2026 seguro, saludable y FELIZ!
Todos nuestros departamentos, oficinas, programas y servicios de Salud Pública estarán cerrados hoy en los condados de Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens y Whitfield, pero esperamos poder servirle mañana.
Conozca más sobre nosotros en www.nghd.org
- Hits: 116
- Christmas Holiday Closure
- PICKENS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TEMPORARILY CLOSED
- Whitfield County Health Department REOPENS Thursday, Dec. 4th!
- Whitfield County Health Department CLOSED Wed., Dec. 3rd
- 11th Annual “Express Your SuperPower” 5K/10K Celebrated Strength, Community, and the Power of Giving!
- Closed for Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11th
- Seven Safety Tips for a Happy, Healthy Halloween!
- North Georgians Fueled Their Immunity at Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics
- WE'RE CLOSED MONDAY, OCT. 13, FOR THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY
- WIC is Still HERE for You!