Breast cancer license tags now fund genetic testing

5/02/2014

In March, Georgia CORE staffers visited with select legislators during the General Assembly to share the accomplishments of Georgia’s breast cancer license tag program. For each breast cancer license tag purchased or renewed from the Georgia Department of Revenue, $22 goes to pay for screenings, genetic testing, education and treatment for Georgians without insurance that are also below the poverty level.

“In 2003, we passed legislation to sell breast cancer license tags and expand breast cancer services for women in need,” said Sen. Renee Unterman. “In 2013 alone, nearly $1.1 million from the proceeds was used by 16 community organizations across the state to provide these services,” she added.

Georgia CORE administers the Georgia Access to Care, Treatment and Services (ACTS) Breast Cancer Grant on behalf of the Georgia State Office of Rural Health within the Department of Community Health. “And we are continually finding ways to make the most of the funds,” said Georgia CORE president Nancy Paris. “Starting this year, a portion of the proceeds from the program is funding genetic testing for underinsured women.”

In addition to funding organizations across the state through a competitive process, approximately $4,200 from the breast cancer license tag program has been used in the first quarter of 2014 to test three women in three rural Georgia counties for the BRCA mutation commonly associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

"Women receive information about the importance of family health history, as well as pre- and post-test genetic counseling for the next steps in prevention and early detection of cancers," said Alice Kerber, MN, APRN, ACNS-BC, AOCN, APNG, Georgia CORE's Oncology and Genetics Nurse Specialist. “The funding from the breast cancer license tag program specifically covers the cost of genetic testing when appropriate.”

The application for the genetic testing fund is available online and encourages genetic counseling by requiring that the submission be completed by a genetic services provider as defined under Commission on Cancer Standard 2.3. To access the online application, click here. For more information on this initiative, email Alice Kerber at akerber@georgiacore.org. To learn more about the ACTS Breast Cancer Grant and the services it funds, visit Georgia CORE's web site.