Illinois Expands Treatment for Medically Underserved

Women in Illinois who are diagnosed through a charity or a state agency can now be eligible for treatment paid for by the state. Before September 1, patients who were diagnosed by a non-state agency would have been turned away. Gov. Rod Blagojevich added a budget provision for low-income women, so that they can qualify for state-provided treatment. Sean Tenner of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation said that this makes Illinois "a leader in providing breast cancer treatment to low-income and uninsured women. The majority of states are more restrictive than Illinois" in this endeavor.

• Breast cancer program expands
• Evelyn Goldberg Center, A Silver Lining Foundation
• What is Breast Cancer?