Send Pap Test Rates Soaring! is the theme of Pap Test Awareness Week, which is taking place across Canada from October 24 to October 30. Health care providers across the province are holding open pap clinics and are encouraging women to get their annual Pap test.

"The Williams Government is committed to improving the quality of cervical screening for women in Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "We will continue to work collaboratively with the regional heath authorities and health care providers across the province to introduce new and leading edge advancements in cervical screening."

Women are encouraged to attend one of the 77 open pap clinics being held throughout the province this week for cervical screening. Approximately 50 additional sites will be set up province-wide to provide women with an increased opportunity to be screened over the next several weeks.

In the last three years, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $1.9 million to improve Pap test technology and enhance patient safety. In addition, $330,000 has been invested for a significant upgrade to the health records system associated with Pap testing. This new electronic process includes a system for following up on abnormal Pap reports to ensure timely intervention from health care providers.

"Despite the excellent record for many women having regular Pap tests, there are still quite a number of women with advanced cervical cancer who have little or no screening history," said Joanne Rose, Provincial Director of the Cervical Screening Initiatives Program. "One of our biggest challenges is to reach women who have not had a Pap test in the last three years and provide an opportunity for them to be screened."

Last year, over 83,000 women in Newfoundland and Labrador had a Pap test, of which more than 6,000 tests were abnormal. In addition, 30 women were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. Regular cervical screening for women is critical for the early detection and prevention of cancer.

For more information on Pap clinics and cervical screening, contact the Cervical Screening Initiatives Program at 866-643-8719 or speak with your health care provider.

- 30 -