Improving women’s access to cervical cancer screening at their local clinics

To improve women’s access to cervical cancer screening, the BC Cancer Agency, in partnership with local clinics, is expanding its Pap Awareness Week campaign across the province for the first time. From May 25 to 30, women living in several Vancouver Island communities can walk into a participating clinic to get a Pap test without making an appointment.

“We understand that a number of factors – from not having a family physician to challenges scheduling medical appointments around various commitments – could influence a woman’s decision to get regular Pap tests,” says Dr. Kathy Ceballos, acting Medical Leader for the BC Cancer Agency’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program (CCSP). “Our goal with Pap Awareness Week is to make it easy for women to access cervical cancer screening by simply dropping in at participating local clinics.”

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, piloted Pap Awareness Week last year in the Lower Mainland, where more than 100 women had a Pap test at 12 partner clinics. Seventy-two percent of the women were either overdue for a Pap test or had never had one in the province. Building on last year’s success, Pap Awareness Week will be offered at almost 100 clinics across the province this year, including 14 clinics on Vancouver Island.

“Keeping the cervix healthy is an important step to maintaining a healthy reproductive system,” said Joy Becker, an Options for Sexual Health regional educational consultant in Nanaimo. “Pap tests are a way to look at the cervix and find abnormal cervical cells that can turn to cancer cells. Finding these type of cells early provides a higher chance of curing cervical cancer and saving a life.”

As part of Pap Awareness Week, the BC Cancer Agency is launching an advertising campaign targeted at young women in their 20s, an age group with a participation rate in the CCSP around 10 per cent below the overall rate for B.C.

“We’re using thought-provoking, yet humourous images to remind young women that Pap tests save lives,” says Dr. Ceballos. “Our campaign’s message is ‘the world needs women.’ We’re telling young women that they’re important, we need them, and they should get a Pap test.”

The campaign includes:

· posters in washrooms and change rooms frequented by young B.C. women

· online ads on websites popular among young B.C. women

· ads in various locations, including movie theatres, transit buses, women’s fitness facilities and drug stores

“It’s important to have a regular pap test because it is something simple that women can do to prevent cervical cancer,” said Heather McAdam, coordinator of clinical services with the Island Sexual Health Society. “Pap tests are quick and available to everyone so we encourage all sexually active women to get them regularly.”

Regular Pap tests can find changes in the cells of the cervix before they become cancerous. Treatment of abnormal cells can prevent cancer from developing. Women who have been sexually active (touching or intercourse) should be screened regularly to prevent cervical cancer.

To find a nearby clinic, visit the BC Cancer Agency website at www.bccancer.bc.ca/paps or call 604.8787.6192 or toll-free 1.877.979.7727.

Cervical cancer screening with a Pap test is available all year round at doctors’ offices and clinics throughout B.C. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. can help women find a family physician. Women can also visit the BC Cancer Agency’s website at www.bccancer.bc.ca/cervicalscreening to find a nearby clinic.

Established in 1949, the BC Cancer Agency’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program was the first organized population-based program in the world to screen for cervical cancer. Over time, the CCSP has succeeded in reducing incidence rates from cervical cancer by more than 70 per cent.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency

Tel: 604.877.6272
Pgr: 604.806.2338
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca

Backgrounder

Clinics on Vancouver Island. participating in Pap Awareness Week from May 25 – 30, 2009:

Campbell River

Quinsam Medical Group
280 - 1400 Dogwood Street
May 25 - 29
9 am - 4:30 pm

Courtenay

Comox Valley Medical Clinic
19 - 1599 Cliffe Avenue
May 25, 10 am - 4 pm
May 29, 9 am - 1 pm

Courtenay Options for Sexual Health
Health Unit
961 England Avenue
May 26, 6 - 8:30 pm
May 28, 4 - 7 pm

Duncan

Ts'ewultun Health Centre
Women's Health Program
5768 Allenby Road
May 29
8:30 am - noon, 1 - 4 pm

Nanaimo

Caledonian Medical Clinic
340 Campbell Street
May 26 & 27, 9 am - noon, 1:30 - 5 pm
May 29, 10 - 11 am, 3 - 4 pm

Inspired Health Naturopathic Clinic
11 - 321 Wesley Street
May 29
9 am - 5 pm

Lexitor Medical Clinic
205 - 1808 Bowen Road
May 26
9:30 am - 1 pm, 2 - 5 pm

Nanaimo Options for Sexual Health
204 - 285 Prideaux Street
May 25, 4 - 7 pm
May 26, 4 - 6 pm
May 27, 5 - 8 pm
May 28, 4 - 6 pm
May 29, noon - 3 pm

Victoria

Cook Street Village Health Centre (Naturopathic)
200 - 1075 Pendergast Street
May 27
2 - 6 pm

Doctor's Office
1110 Newport Avenue
May 28
9 am - 2 pm

Downtown Medical Centre
622 Courtenay Street
May 25 - 29
8:30 am - 5 pm

Island Sexual Health Society
200 - 1770 Fort Street
May 27
9 am - 3 pm

Student Health Services
University of Victoria
May 27
9 am - 2 pm
For University of Victoria students only.

Vancouver Island Naturopathic Clinic
3954 Wilkinson Road
May 25, 1 - 2:30 pm
May 28, 5 - 7 pm
May 29, 9 - 11 am