OVERVIEW

Vital Access Care Foundation (VACF) is the regional contractor for the state of California's cancer detection program, Every Woman Counts (The EWC program), serving Orange County. The mission of the EWC Program is to mitigate the devastating medical, emotional and financial effects of breast and cervical cancer and eliminate health disparities for medically underserved, low-income individuals.

​

​Find an EWC Provider

Visit the EWC Provider Locator to locate EWC primary care providers by zip code, or call the automated toll-free referral information line, (800) 511-2300, for 24-hour provider referrals. The information line offers assistance in English, Spanish, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian/Khmer, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.

​

Treatment Information

If you are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer:

Free treatment is available to all Californians who qualify through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. 

Information on this program is available on Medi‑Cal's website or call (800) 824-0088 to speak with an eligibility specialist.

​

Privacy Information

The EWC program protects your personal health information. As required by the federal regulations known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), we are providing our clients with control over access to their health information.  

If you'd like more information, please review the Notice of Privacy Practices. 

​​

ELIGIBILITY

​Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Information

Do you qualify for free services? You may if you:

• Are a women 40 years old or older, you may qualify for routine breast cancer screenings

• Have symptoms of at any age, regardless of gender, you may qualify for breast diagnostic services

• Some warning signs and/or symptoms of breast cancer include:

  • Lump, mass or swelling in the breast or underarm

  • Changes in size or shape of breast

  • Change in skin texture and color (dimpling, puckering, redness, scaly skin, or thickening) of the breast or nipple

  • Nipple retraction or inversion

  • Nipple discharge

  • Breast pain

(Please note that these warning signs and/or symptoms may occur with conditions other than breast cancer.)

• Meet EWC Income Criteria

• Have no or limited insurance

• Are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program

• Live in California

​

Cervical Cancer Prevention Information

Do you qualify for free services? You may if you:

• Are 21 years old or older

• Meet EWC Income Criteria

• Have no or limited insurance

• Are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program

• Live in California​

​

For more information or to request assistance with program enrollment, please contact our team.

​

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Community Outreach and Education

Our bilingual and bicultural Health Educators and Community Health Workers provide tailored health education presentations about breast and cervical cancer and the availability of the free EWC program throughout local communities. Classes are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and offered in a variety of settings, including local agencies, community center, churches, cultural events, fairs, work-sites, libraries, and parent groups. We can also set up a resource table and provide one-on-one outreach.

​

For more information, schedule a presentation or resource table, or to receive one-on-one education, please contact our team.

​

Check out our calendar to find more information about the upcoming classes.

​

Informational Handouts

• EWC Program Brochure: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Other Languages

• Cancer 101 - Breast Cancer: English | Vietnamese

• Cancer 101 - Cervical Cancer: English | Vietnamese

• Know the Fact - Breast Cancer: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Other Languages

• Know the Fact - Cervical Cancer: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Other Languages

• EWC LGBTQ+ Flyer: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Other Languages​​

 

PATIENT NAVIGATION

The EWC program provides Navigation and Care Coordination services to community members by guiding them through the complex healthcare system, providing support and information, ensuring they are able to access the care they need in a timely manner, and overcoming any barriers they might face. We are available to provide support in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

​​

For more information or to request assistance, please contact our team.

​

PROVIDER SERVICES

VACF offers assistance with enrollment and orientation to the EWC program and provides the following services upon request.

• Clinical support and communication with providers on behalf of the Cancer Detection and Treatment Branch of the California Department of Health Care Services;

• Technical support is offered on site, by phone, and virtually;

• Staff training, in person and virtual, on program policy and procedures; 

• Information about resources, support groups, patient education.

​

For more information or to request assistance, please contact the Clinical Coordinator.