Tennessee Department of Health

TDH Cancer Prevention, Services & Resources

Cancer remains a major public health priority in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) offers a range of programs, partnerships, data resources, screening services, and awareness initiatives designed to reduce cancer incidence, promote early detection, support navigation to care, and improve survivorship. Below is an overview of key TDH cancer-focused resources and services, and links to learn more.

Early Detection and Screening Programs

TDH emphasizes preventive actions such as tobacco cessation, healthy lifestyle choices and regular screenings per national guidelines.

Breast and Cervical Screening Program (TNBCSP)

Early detection saves lives. The Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program helps low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals access breast and cervical cancer screenings — including clinical breast exams, mammograms, and Pap tests — and supports follow-up, diagnostic, and navigation services. Tennessee State Government

Learn more about TBCSP on TN.gov/health

Eligibility & Clinic Locations through Find a Clinic with TBCSP

Call for services: 1-877-969-6636 (Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening)

At Every Tennessee County Health Department

Basic preventive services including breast and cervical cancer screenings in addition to other health services like immunizations, health education, and tobacco cessation.

Find your local health department on TN.gov/health. 

Tennessee Colorectal and Lung Cancer Screening Program

Tennessee recently expanded cancer screening efforts to help low-income, uninsured adults access colorectal and lung cancer screening and diagnostic services. This new statewide program builds on current screening efforts. Tennessee State Government.

Patient Navigation & Support 

Through programs like TNBCSP and CHANT (Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee), TDH offers navigation to help individuals overcome barriers to care, including scheduling screenings, securing follow-up appointments, and connecting to insurance or community resources.

Data, Surveillance & Planning

Tennessee Cancer Registry (TCR)

The TCR collects high-quality data on cancer cases statewide — including incidence, stage at diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes — to support epidemiological research, guide public health strategies, and monitor trends in cancer burden across Tennessee. Tennessee State Government

 Annual reports & data Tennessee Cancer Registry Data

Use the TCR’s Submit a Data Request feature or contact the Office of Cancer Surveillance.

Tennessee State Cancer Plan

The State Cancer Plan outlines priority goals for reducing cancer burden through evidence-based strategies such as improving access to screening, promoting early detection, and enhancing provider training. Tennessee State Government

Click for the Tennessee Cancer Coalition's homepage and to find the Tennessee's State Cancer Plan

State Health Plan: Includes cancer-related goals within Tennessee’s broader health priorities.

Prevention Initiatives

Pink & Pearl Campaign

The Pink & Pearl Campaign combines outreach for breast cancer (pink ribbon) and lung cancer (pearl ribbon) awareness to encourage individuals to get recommended screenings. It highlights the importance of early detection, key risk factors, and actionable lifestyle changes.

Supporting Healthy Smiles for all Tennesseans

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Oral Health Services mission is to prevent oral disease, educate the public on the value of good oral health, improve access to care, and ensure basic and urgent dental services are available to residents statewide. Oral health affects overall well-being, school and work performance, confidence, and quality of life.

Comprehensive Dental Care Services

Public Health Dental Clinics

TDH partners with county and metropolitan health departments to operate dental clinics that provide basic dental care and emergency services for uninsured adults and children. Clinics also serve TennCare members and may offer sliding-scale fees where applicable. These clinics are located in over 45 rural counties and in most metropolitan regions. 

Dental Care & Clinics – Find clinics and local contact information by region to schedule care or learn eligibility.

Prevention & Screening Programs

School-Based Dental Prevention Program

This statewide initiative brings dental screenings, preventive sealants, fluoride treatments (including Silver Diamine Fluoride), and oral health education to children in Title I eligible schools (K-8). Portable dental teams help identify unmet needs and make referrals to providers for follow-up care. The program is recognized as a model public health practice. 

Nurse’s Fluoride Varnish Program

Available in all 95 counties through public health departments, nurses provide oral health screenings and apply fluoride varnish to children ages 0–21 to help prevent decay.

See all of Tennessee's Oral Health Initiatives on the Oral Health Services homepage.

Disease Control, Environmental Health, and Preparedness

Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness (CEDEP) protects the health and safety of Tennesseeans by preventing, detecting, and responding to health threats that impact communities across the state. The division brings together disease surveillance, environmental health protection, and emergency preparedness to ensure a coordinated, data-driven approach to public health threats.

Contact Information and Links to CEDEP Programs

How to File a Complaint

To file a complaint about a Tennessee restaurant, if it does NOT include/involve illness call (800)-293-8228 or email geh.health@tn.gov.

If you believe something you ate at a Tennessee restaurant made you sick, complete this foodborne illness survey or call (800)-293-8228.

Spotlight on Environmental Health

CEDEP Weekly Reports & Preliminary Data

Preliminary data is subject to change because of ongoing revision of information and delayed reporting. Careful consideration should be given to any use or presentation of preliminary data. Diseases and events are reported based on Event Date, except for tuberculosis. Event Date based on the following in hierarchical order: date of onset, date of diagnosis, date first reported to county, date first reported to state, and the date the investigation was created in the State surveillance system. Send questions, comments, or recommendations to CEDEP.Surveillance@TN.gov 

Click for an MMWR Explainer

For the Health and Well-Being of Women, Children, and Families

TDH, through the Division of Family Health and Wellness, provides direct education, referrals, resources, services, and support to promote the health and well-being of women, children, and families across the state of Tennessee.  Our efforts are family-centered, evidence-based, and data driven as we collaborate with agencies and organizations across the state and nationally to achieve equitable and quality health and health care. FHW carries out its mission by ensuring lifelong benefits and investments are embedded in the programming for all populations across the life course. 

Connect with the Right Program for Your Stage of Life

Get Involved with Family, Health, and Wellness

Health Equity Statement & Priorities

As a TDH Division, FHW strives to promote optimal health and well-being through the achievement of health equity for families across Tennessee. We are collectively committed to advancing equitable services, collaborations and partnerships, community engagement, and workforce development through strategic efforts to address health disparities in our communities. 

We are committed to ensure our efforts and impact reflect the following priorities (click each to learn more).

Contact FHW

FHW partners with local and regional health departments, community organizations, nonprofits, and community members. We would love to hear from you. Please fill out the form below and we will be in contact.