Cancer Screening Connection · October 2026 · Volume 4
Improving Cancer Screening Across Health Centers
Partnering to strengthen cancer screening in health centers.
Welcome
Welcome to the October issue of Cancer Screening Connection! Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to turn awareness into action by helping patients stay up to date with recommended screening.
This month, we highlight breast cancer screening data, practical strategies health centers can use to support mammogram completion, and trusted resources for patients and care teams.
Featured Article
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: From Mammogram Due to Mammogram Done
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. Regular mammograms can find breast cancer early, before it is big enough to be felt or cause symptoms.1
For health centers, Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to look beyond awareness and examine what happens between identifying a patient who needs a mammogram and documenting a completed mammogram.
Breast Cancer by the Numbers
Strengthen the Path to Screening
Identify patients who need screening. Use EHR reports, registries, and care-gap lists to identify patients who are due or overdue for mammography. Separate patients who need a screening recommendation from those who already have an open mammography order. This approach helps teams focus on each patient’s next step.
Make outreach actionable. Pair screening reminders with a clear next step, such as scheduling instructions, contact information, or assistance locating mammography services. Patient reminders are an evidence-based intervention that increases breast cancer screening.5
When discussing screening, consider each patient’s individual risk, overall health, family history, and preferences.
Look beyond the referral. Review outstanding referrals to determine whether the mammogram was scheduled, completed, and documented. A consistent follow-up process helps teams identify patients who may need additional support.
Connect patients with navigation and screening resources. Patient navigation supports screening completion through services such as scheduling assistance, transportation coordination, interpretation services, reminders, and assistance locating screening services. CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to eligible women with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured.6
Turn Awareness Into Action
This October, review your breast cancer screening data and identify one point in your workflow where patients lose momentum. Look at overdue patient lists, scheduling, open mammography referrals, screening completion, and documentation. Select one area to strengthen now and track how the change affects screening completion.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Mammograms
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Women
- National Cancer Institute: Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- Susan G. Komen: Breast Cancer Statistics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Client (Patient) Reminders
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Find a Screening Program Near You
Resource Spotlight
Breast Cancer Screening Resources for Health Centers
- Put Evidence-Based Strategies Into Practice
- Strengthen Provider Reminders
- Connect Eligible Patients to Screening Services
- Support Breast Cancer Risk Conversations
Resources to Share with Patients
Could Your Health Center Benefit From Free Technical Assistance?
Free, customized technical assistance (TA) is available to HRSA-funded health centers looking to strengthen cancer screening efforts, improve workflows, and increase timely screening and follow-up care. TA is tailored to your health center’s needs and available virtually or on-site.
Ready to get started? Email to request TA or fill out our TA request form.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
October 28, 2026 · 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Beyond the Mammogram: Implementing Comprehensive Breast Cancer Screening in Health Centers
Stay connected. Take action.
Disclaimer: This newsletter was produced for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Primary Health Care, under contract number 47QTCA22D007G. This publication lists non-federal resources in order to provide additional information to consumers. Neither HHS nor HRSA has formally approved the non-federal resources in this newsletter. Listing these is not an endorsement by HHS or HRSA. This newsletter is for informational and quality-improvement purposes only and does not represent HRSA policy, requirements, or performance standards.