National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, October 23-29th
Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with immunization and regular screening.
This year Chatham-Kent Public Health has teamed up with Cancer Care Ontario and The Federation of Medical Women of Canada to bring awareness to Cervical Cancer and urge women to get their Pap test!
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 15% of women have never been screened and 30% have not been screened in the last 3 years!
This year’s campaign urges women not to count on luck to save them from cervical cancer. Instead, women are invited to count on my colleagues and I to provide them with a Pap test – a quick and reliable way to help women beat the odds and prevent cervical cancer. Screening saves lives!
How do I make an appointment?
As part of this event we will be holding three screening clinics for women on October 25, 26, 27, call Chatham-Kent Public Health to register for an appointment. 519-355-1071.
What is a Pap test?
A Pap test will look for abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated could develop into cancer.
Check out www.paptestinfo.ca for more information.
How often should I have a Pap Test?
All sexually active women should begin cervical cancer screening in early adulthood regardless of whether they have had the HPV vaccine.
Though Pap tests should be a part of regular preventive care until age 70, cervical cancer screening only needs to be done every three years.
Pap tests can stop after the age of 70 if a woman has had at least three normal tests in the previous 10 years.
Women who have had a hysterectomy should talk to their health care provider to see if they still need a Pap test.
For more information on the campaign, cervical cancer, or cancer screenings check out
Cancer Care Ontario
Federation of Medical Women of Canada