FARGO, N.D. – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) continues covering costs for services connected to the nationwide Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk (WISDOM) study and encourages eligible members to take part.
The study aims to revolutionize breast cancer screening by finding out if personalized breast screening improves detection while reducing over-diagnosis and false positive readings.
In collaboration with the University of California Athena Breast Health Network, researchers engage up to 100,000 women and their doctors across the country. They compare the effectiveness of personalized screening protocols based on individual risks, such as genetic makeup and family history, to annual screening.
“The results of this study have the potential to impact existing standards for screening, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer,” said Dr. Greg Glasner, Chief Medical Officer, BCBSND. “Supporting the WISDOM study by encouraging eligible members to participate is an important step in its success.”
BCBSND covers costs of services members receive through the study, with no cost sharing or impact to their preventive benefit accumulations. Services include an initial risk assessment, followed by an annual risk assessment for the next five years. Some study participants may receive genetic testing and genetic counseling, if deemed beneficial.
Based on a member's risk assessment, the participant will receive a breast cancer screening frequency recommendation that they can discuss with their primary care provider.
Learn more at thewisdomstudy.org.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
BCBSND was founded in 1940 with the mission to provide members with affordable access to health care across the state. As a member-owned, not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), BCBSND is committed to transforming care and health across the state to improve outcomes, lower cost trends and make it easier to shop, buy and use health care coverage. Members have access to unmatched local service and to a comprehensive network of health care providers across the state, the nation and in 200 countries.
