Minister Highlights Value of Cervical Screening as Part of Pap Test Awareness Week

October 20 to 26 is Pap Test Awareness Week across Canada and the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, is encouraging women to speak to their physician about cervical screening.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been recognized by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer as a leader in the organized cancer screening model in Canada. Through the Provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives Program, 70 per cent of women aged 20-69 participate in routine cervical screening with 90 per cent of women having at least one Pap test in the last six years.

“Screening and the early detection of cancer saves lives,” said Minister Sullivan. “I strongly encourage all women aged 20-69 to participate in cervical screening as routine Pap testing can prevent almost all types of this cancer. While I am pleased with the national recognition of our provincial screening program it is incredibly valuable to continue to build on our success and continue to promote the benefits of screening.”

The success of the Provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives Program is due in large part to recent upgrades to the Provincial Cervical Cytology Registry, which contains records of pap screening and related testing for women in Newfoundland and Labrador. This system monitors women with abnormal test results to ensure timely follow-up. In the event that follow-up records are not in the registry, the woman’s physician is contacted, who then contacts the patient when appropriate.

“Each year we launch Pap Test Awareness Week as an opportunity to raise the profile of Pap testing,” said Joanne Rose, Provincial Director of Cervical Screening. “This year, I encourage all women in Newfoundland and Labrador to take part in this important campaign, Kick ‘n Cervical Cancer and share the message of Pap test screening.”

The theme of Pap Test Awareness Week this year is Kick ‘n Cervical Cancer. For more information on events taking place throughout the province this week or the Provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives Program, please visit www.westernhealth.nl.ca . 

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2013 10 23                                     9:45 a.m.