Local Resources

The Upper Cumberland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen funds breast cancer education, treatment, and support programs each year. These programs often include free mammograms, wigs, transportation help, therapy, and after care programs. For more information call 931-303-0096 or email info@komenuppercumberland.org

The Bosom Buddies

The Bosom Buddies is a group of breast cancer survivors who are committed to helping each other and newly diagnosed people as well as being involved in activism and advocacy for breast cancer survivors. We meet every other week on Tuesdays at the Bank of Putnam County Financial Services Building on Jefferson in Cookeville. We encourage and welcome new members. You’ll find us a feisty and committed group. We are also very interested in helping interested survivors in other towns to establish their own groups.
Please contact us at info@komenuppercumberland.org.

To meet some of our group – view our Survivors video on YouTube!

Tennessee Breast & Cervical Screening Program

This program is offered through your local health department along with other health care providers in your community.

Eligible women can get these screening services when they schedule an office visit with their local health department:

• Clinical breast exam
• Mammogram (breast x-ray)
• Pap test and pelvic exam

These screenings can save your life. Every year Tennessee women die from these cancers.

• Just being a woman puts you at risk for breast cancer, and your risk increases with age. A mammogram can show cancer that is too small for your or your doctor to feel.  Finding breast cancer early will give you more treatment choices and a better chance for survival.
• A Pap test can find abnormal cells before they become cancerous and can find cervical cancer early. These problems are nearly always curable if found early enough.

You can get free breast cancer screening, including a clinical breast exam and mammogram if you meet income guidelines and

• Do not have insurance or your insurance does not pay for this service.
• Are 50 to 64 years of age
• Are 40 to 49 years of age and have one of the following:
  • A mother, daughter or sister with breast cancer
  • A personal history of breast cancer
  • A clinical breast exam that is abnormal

How can I find out if I am eligible?

• Call  your local health department. You can find the phone number and address of your local health department on the World Wide Web at http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.
• Call the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program using our toll-free number at 1-877-969-6636
• Call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4cancer (1-800-422-6237).

Tennessee Department of Health
6th Floor Cordell Hull Building
495 Fifth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37247

Upper Cumberland Komen  Financial Resources

General Overview:
Being well informed is important for understanding and fighting breast cancer. Click on the links below to learn more.  Upper Cumberland Komen is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure      1.800.IM.AWARE

General Information:

CancerCare     cancercare.org

• AVONCares Program for medically underserved women—financial assistance, relevant education and support services.
• Grants for women in need of assistance for diagnostic (post-screening) services, transportation and an escort to and from treatment and childcare for women with families.
• Linking A.R.M.S.: a collaborative partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure that provides limited financial assistance for women with breast cancer for hormonal and oral chemotherapy, pain and anti-nausea medication, Lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment.
• Email: info@cancercare.org

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services     http://www.cms.gov/     1.800.MEDICARE

• Medicare, Medicaid and Child Health Insurance programs
• The web site offers information about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act as well as agency programs.

Hill-Burton program     1-800-638-0742

• Under this program, administered by the government, hospitals receiving funds from the government for construction costs, etc. are required by law to provide a reasonable amount of services to persons unable to pay. For more info about eligibility for these services and to obtain a list of Hill-Burton hospitals in your area call 1-800-638-0742 or contact the Health & Human Services Department nearest you.

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program      copays.org     1-866-512-3861

• Assists patients that have medical insurance but cannot afford co-payments or out of pocket expenses for medications and medical treatments. Call to speak to a Call Counselor to discuss needs.

Social Security Income (SSI)     1-800-772-1213

• For information about the disability program, which you may be eligible for, contact any Social Security Office, listed in the telephone directory under “Social Security Administration”, or call 1-800-772-1213. Note: Cancer, which is progressive and has not been controlled, is considered severe enough to be disabling.

Veteran’s Administration (VA)

• If a patient or spouse is, or has been, a member of the Armed Forces, the VA may be able to help with costs. The VA provides hospital care covering a full range of medical services. Outpatient treatment is available for non-service connected conditions in some cases. Contact any VA health care facility or local Department of Social Service Office for information.

Your Hospital

• A social worker at the hospital where a patient is or has been receiving treatment often can provide referrals to local sources of financial aid. In addition, a cancer patient might find it helpful to explain his/her financial situation to the hospital’s business office and the physicians. Professionals involved in caring for cancer patients are well aware of the economic burden that the disease imposes on the patient and family. They might be able to develop a plan to reduce costs or extend payments over a longer period of time.Contact your:
  (a) Hospital patient advocate.
  (b) Hospital financial aid counselor.
  (c) Hospital social worker.
  (d) Patient representative in the hospital business office.

Other Related Services

• Even if financial assistance is not available through the above-mentioned groups/organizations, these and other organizations may be able to provide transportation to and from treatment, babysitting, meals, special equipment, and/or medical supplies for home care. These and other services are sometimes available from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, labor unions to which any family member belongs, churches, fraternal or social organizations.