Cancer Detection Section
Our Mission and Vision
The mission of the Cancer Detection Section (CDS) is to save lives by preventing and reducing the devastating effects of cancer for Californians through education, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and integrated preventive services, with special emphasis on the underserved.
The vision of CDS is:
Be a leader in cancer prevention, detection and control.
Reduce the disparities in the cancer burden.
Provide access to high-quality cancer education, early detection, diagnosis and treatment services.
Promote integrated preventive services.
Influence healthcare systems to provide quality services.
CDS is part of the California Department of Public Health's Chronic Disease and Injury Control Division. CDS manages multi-faceted public health programs for breast cancer screening and diagnosis, cervical cancer prevention and prostate cancer treatment through the Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP: EWC) and Improving Access, Counseling & Treatment (IMPACT) programs.
About Our Programs
Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP: EWC) 
CDP: EWC helps underserved women receive free breast cancer screening and diagnostic services and cervical cancer prevention. CDP: EWC is funded by a federal grant and state tobacco tax revenue.
To see if you qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screening, call 1-800-511-2300 Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. We speak English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese. If you qualify, you will be referred to participating doctors in your neighborhood.
Prostate Cancer Treatment 
The Prostate Cancer Treatment Program helps underserved men receive free prostate cancer treatment services through IMProving Access, Counseling & Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer (IMPACT), which is operated under contract by the University of California, Los Angeles.
To see if you qualify for free prostate cancer treatment, call 1-800-409-8252 Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, or visit the IMPACT program website.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in California men.
Men with Prostate cancer have a better chance of long-term survival when treatment begins at an early stage of the disease.
Contact Information
California Department of Public Health
CDIC/Cancer Detection Section
MS 7203
P.O. Box 997377
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: (916) 449-5300
Fax: (916) 449-5310
Email CDS at: cancerdetection@cdph.ca.gov
Review the CDS Notice of Privacy Practices.
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