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

VANCOUVER, B.C. – To improve women’s access to cervical cancer screening, the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, in partnership with local clinics, is expanding its Pap Awareness Week campaign across the province for the first time, using a thought-provoking campaign.

Take the iconic image of Sandro Botticelli’s “the Birth of Venus”, replace her with a hairy man whose moustache is flowing in the breeze and you have a striking image with a serious life-saving message. This is the image launching the BC Cancer Agency's Pap Awareness event, where women can walk into a participating clinic to get a Pap test without an appointment. The theme of the campaign is "The World Needs Women." Regular Pap tests have saved many women's lives.

“We’ve used a humourous image to get people thinking and talking about all the tremendous contributions women make to our world,” says Dr. Kathy Ceballos, acting Medical Leader for the BC Cancer Agency’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program. “Our campaign’s message is ‘the world needs women.’ We’re telling women that they’re important, and that regular Pap tests can save lives.”

Pap Awareness Week was piloted 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 29 clinics in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver coastal communities from June 8 to 13.

“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. Ceballos. “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.”

“We are particularly interested in reaching out to young women about the importance of Pap tests. Our stats show that women in their 20s have a participation rate in the Cervical Cancer Screening Program around 10 per cent below the overall rate for B.C,” adds Dr. Ceballos.

The advertising campaign is targeted at young women. 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

· a 15 second pre-show spot in movie theatres

· ads on transit buses and at SkyTrain stations

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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*Copy of the ad is available upon request

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 in the Vancouver Coastal region participating in Pap Awareness Week from June 8 - 13, 2009:

Gibsons

Gibsons Community Health Unit
494 S Fletcher Road
June 8
9 am - 6 pm

Gibsons Medical Clinic
821 Gibsons Way
June 10, 5 pm - 8 pm
June 12, 9 am - noon, 1 - 4 pm
June 13, 9 am - noon

North Vancouver

Family Medical
1912 Lonsdale Avenue
June 9 & 11
9 am - noon

John Braithwaite Community Centre
145 W 1st Street
June 8
6:30 - 9:30 pm

North Vancouver Options for Sexual Health
Parkgate Community Centre
3625 Banff Court
June 10
5:30 - 8:30 pm

Squamish Nation Health Centre
422 West Esplanade
June 10
1 - 4:30 pm

Pemberton

Pemberton Medical Clinic
1403 Portage Road
June 8 - 12
9 am - noon, 1:30 - 5 pm (June 11 until 8 pm)

Pender Harbour

Pender Harbour Health Centre
5066 Francis Peninsula Road
June 9
10 am - 2:30 pm, 5 - 8 pm

Powell River

Powell River Options for Sexual Health
Powell River Community Health Unit
5000 Joyce Avenue, 3rd Floor
June 11
4:30 - 6:30 pm

Richmond

Vancouver Airport Medical Clinic
3880 Grant McConachie Way, Domestic Terminal, Level 1, Room 5
June 8
9 am - 3 pm

Sechelt

Sechelt Indian Band
5559 Sunshine Coast Hwy
June 11
9am - noon, 1 - 4 pm, 5 - 8 pm

Sechelt Medical Clinic
5531 Inlet Avenue
June 8, 1 - 4 pm
June 10, 1 - 4 pm, 5 - 8 pm
June 13, 9 am - noon

Sunshine Coast Options for Sexual Health
213 - 5710 Teredo Street
June 11
5:30 - 7:30 pm

Squamish

Squamish Options for Sexual Health
SAFE Clinic, Coast Garabaldi Health
1140 Hunter Place (Behind IGA)
June 9
5 - 7 pm

Vancouver

Access Clinic, BC Women's Health Centre
4500 Oak Street (enter at Heather & 29th)
June 8 & 10
9 am - 3 pm
For women with disabilities.

BC Women's Health Centre
4500 Oak Street (enter at Heather & 29th)
June 8 & 10
9 am - 3 pm

Balance Health Professionals (Naturopathic)
10 - 2495 Commercial Drive
June 11 &12
10 am - 6 pm

Boulevard Youth Clinic
2110 W 43rd Avenue
June 9, 2:30 - 5 pm
June 12, 1:30 - 4 pm

Bute Street Clinic
1170 Bute Street, 2nd Floor
June 8 - 13
11 am - 6 pm
Queer friendly. All women welcome.

Doctor's Office
1317 - 750 W Broadway
June 9 & 10
1 - 5 pm

South Community Health Centre
6405 Knight Street
June 10
1:30 - 4:30 pm

Kootenay Loop Options for Sexual Health
3550 E Hastings Street
June 9
7 - 9 pm

Pender Community Health Centre
59 W Pender Street, 2nd Floor
June 8
9 am - noon, 1 - 4 pm

QI Integrated Health (Naturopathic)
2618 W Broadway
June 10
11 am - 5 pm

Sheway Maternity Service
101 - 533 E Hastings
June 10
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
For current or past clients only.

Vancouver Options for Sexual Health
BC Women's Health Centre (entre at Heather & 29th)
4500 Oak Street
June 9
6:30 - 9:30 pm

Yaletown Medical Clinic
1296 Pacific Blvd
June 8 - 13
9 am - 9 pm

Whistler

Northlands Medical Clinic
101 - 4359 Main Street
June 8 - 13
9 am - 1 pm, 2 - 5:30 pm
Same-day appointments, call 604-932-8362.

Whistler Options for Sexual Health
SAFE Clinic
202 - 4830 Lorimer Road
June 9, 4:30 - 7:30 pm
June 11, 5 - 7:30 pm

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