Minister launches provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives program

Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services, today officially launched the provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives program and announced the expansion of the program to the Central, Grenfell and Labrador health regions. Currently operating in the Western health region, the program is aimed at increasing the participation rates for cervical screening by enhancing primary prevention, early detection and quality interventions for cervical cancer. Through an organized, comprehensive approach, the Cervical Screening Initiatives program will educate the public and health professionals on the importance of screening and the risks related to cervical cancer.

"Coordinating a provincial program for cervical screening will help us monitor participation rates provincewide and ensure all areas are being properly targeted. Organized programs have proven to be effective in the past," said Minister Smith. "The three-year pilot program in Western Newfoundland saw significant increases in participation rates for cervical screening in the region."

Cervical cancer is an almost entirely preventable disease through regular screening, yet 70 per cent of women in Newfoundland and Labrador do not have an annual Pap test. Each year approximately 35 women in this province are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, while over 400 women are diagnosed with carcinoma in situ of the cervix.

"This strategic initiative for a provincial cervical screening program is an exciting step forward for preventive women's health in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Dr. Popadiuk, Medical Director with Cervical Screening Initiatives. "An organized program is critical to assure that no
woman is left unscreened and without access to quality interventions. No woman should die from cervical cancer."

Minister Smith says this program is an example of the proactive approach his department is taking to improve the health status of the population and renew the health and community services system, as outlined in Healthier Together: A Strategic Health Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. "We are striving for a healthier population. Keeping the population healthy, rather than simply treating illness, will ultimately create a system which is sustainable and supportive of health and well-being. Cervical screening is an area where we can improve health outcomes for women in Newfoundland and Labrador."

The Cervical Screening Initiatives program is being implemented on a phased-in approach. Over the coming years, the program will expand to all areas of the province. The specific components of the organized program include: education, recruitment, information systems, quality assurance and evaluation.

Media Contacts: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

The Cervical Screening Initiatives program began as a three-year pilot project in the Western health region in 1998. In 2001, the Department of Health and Community Services Western Health board released a report on the pilot project. Recommendations of the report substantiated the need for coordinated cervical screening initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. The success of the program in the Western region provides support and evidence for the expansion of the program on a provincewide basis. Initial expansion of the program is to the Central, Grenfell and Labrador health regions. As a result, the Provincial Coordinating Office of Cervical Screening Initiatives has been established and the provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives program launched.

The new program is a comprehensive approach to cervical screening and will build on the existing services and resources for cervical screening and women�s health throughout the province. The elements of the program include:

• education of public and professionals;
• recruitment of women for screening; and,
• implementation of a cytology database, quality assurance standards, as well as a continuous monitoring mechanism or evaluation process.

Staffing requirements for the Provincial Coordinating Office of Cervical Screening Initiatives include: a provincial director, women�s health educator, medical director and secretarial support. In addition, the program in each region will be supported by existing services and resources.

The Cervical Screening Initiatives program is in keeping with the wellness focus of Healthier Together: A Strategic Health Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. The program�s emphasis on public education and health promotion will increase the health status of the population by encouraging women to make informed, healthy choices.

2003 01 31                                        1:25 p.m.