The Richland County Health Department has three programs dedicated to cancer awareness and prevention, the Montana Breast & Cervical Health Program, the Montana Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the Women's Health Coalition. You can learn more about each of them below.

The mission of the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) is to reduce breast and cervical cancer deaths among Montana women by providing ongoing quality screening services and education in a manner that is appropriate, accessible, cost effective and sensitive to women's needs.

The Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program provides mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap tests and pelvic exams for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer The program is for women age 50-64 who have no health insurance or insurance that will not pay for these tests each year and who meet the income guidelines below. These services may be provided for free to eligible women.

We provide services to women in Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Prairie and McCone Counties

For information about low cost or free Mammograms & Pap Tests,
Call Angie Thiessen-Idoate at (406) 433-2207
You can also call the State hotline Toll Free 1-888-803-9343.

This program brings community partners together to work to address cancer issues from prevention through survivorship and end-of-life.  In 2009-10, the program will focus on increasing Colorectal Cancer screening among Montanans age 50 and over.  A local coalition of concerned citizens meets every other month to identify and solve cancer problems in Richland County.  For more information about the program or the coalition, contact Shelee Warner at the Richland County Health Department, 433-2207.

Women's Health Coalition

The Richland County Women's Health Coalition is an organization that raises awareness about breast and cervical cancer and provides funds to low income women who do not quality for other screening programs who cannot afford regular mammograns, clinical breast exams, pap tests, pelvic exams, and diagnostic services for abnormal test results. The program also provides referral to cancer treatment programs if neccessary.

In order to quality for free or low cost testing, you must be underinsured or have no health insurance and meet certain income guidelines. If you think you may quality, please call Angie Thiessen-Idoate at (406) 433-2207.

Each year, the Coalition organizes two fundraisers, the "Best Kept Secret" bra auctions and "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" at the Richland County Fair and Rodeo. They also plan activities for Pink Ribbon Month to raise awarness and encourage women to be screened for breast and cervical cancer. If you would like to join the coalition and help us with any of these projects, please contact Angie at (406) 433-2207.