Local health experts stress importance of regular cervical cancer screening

As Nnatural caregivers, women are often the worst whenbad at it comes to taking care of their own health. Frequently cConcerned with the health of family and friends, women often put themselves last on the list when it comes to preventative health screening tests and procedures.

Hoping to change that unfortunate truth, the Airdrie Medical Clinic is encouraging women to put themselves first and participate in the National Pap Test Campaign, which will run in conjunction with National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week that begins on October . 21st.

Organized by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the campaign will enable women to have their Pap tests completed at public test clinics at the Airdrie Medical Clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting on Oct.ober 22nd.

“Holding these public Pap test clinics is our way of helping women in our community access a service that is fundamental to their health and that can help prevent cervical cancer,” said Airdrie Medical Clinic Ffamily Pphysician Dr. Sheri Lupul. “There is no reason for women to suffer needlessly from this largely preventable cancer.”

As with most forms of cancer, early detection is key and though the symptoms of cervical cancer are not easy to detect, regular Pap tests are the best way to diagnose the diseaseensure cancer is which can then be caught early and treated effectively.

Every year in Canada, between 1,300 and 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Of that number almost 400 die from the disease. The statistics may be frightening but are a fact many women are not aware of.

In addition to those diagnosed with cancer, over more than 400,000 women will receive abnormal Pap test results. These results do not always signify the presence of cancer and can be caused by infection, sexually transmitted diseases, and mild abnormalities.

According to ???????the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Mmost abnormal cells on the cervix that are detected by a Pap test will clear without treatment, but regardless of the cause the test needs to be done and should be scheduled with your physician on a regular basis depending on your age and the number of normal Pap tests you have previously had.

“Don’t let the ‘a’ in Pap stand for an abnormal result,” said Dr. Lupul. “Instead, make it represent awareness and action. Get your Pap test today.”

For more information, contact Airdrie Medical Clinic at 403 -948 -3109.