"The American Cancer Society commends Gov. Blunt's efforts in seeking to expand health services to more Missouri women," said Jason Brady, the American Cancer Society's government relations director for Missouri. "This is great news for Missouri women because we know that early detection is the best protection and saves lives."

Currently, Missouri women who meet specific residency, age and income guidelines are eligible for free breast and cervical cancer screenings through the Show Me Healthy Women program. However, due to lack of funding, not all Missouri women are benefiting from this life-saving program.

Studies show that early detection, when followed by appropriate treatment, saves lives and increases treatment options. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent among individuals whose cancer has not spread beyond the breast at the time of diagnosis. For cervical cancer, the five-year localized survival rate is 92 percent. Typically, the earlier a cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more successful the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.