FMWC partners with SOGC and SCC to launch Pap test campaign

Oct 22 2009

The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) has joined forces with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Society of Canadian Colposcopists (SCC) to launch this year's Pap test campaign during Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. Together, we hope to increase the scope, reach and impact of the campaign. With this collaborative effort, we aim to provide more Pap tests and deal with abnormal results in a more expeditious manner.

During the week of 26 to 30 October 2009, physicians have been invited to take a stand against cervical cancer by hosting public Pap test clinics in their community. Today, Canadian women are invited to make it a priority to get a Pap test and to take advantage of these public clinics.

No doctor? No problem. Women who do not have a family doctor or gynaecologist will be able to drop-in or book an appointment with participating physicians during this campaign. Last year's event saw almost 500 women receive a Pap test, most of which had not been tested for far too long. For women who did have a physician, the publicity around the campaign served as an excellent reminder to book their appointment. With any luck, these numbers will be even higher this year.

"The Pap test is a woman's best defense against cervical cancer. The test consists of taking a sample of cells from a woman's cervix and sending it to a laboratory for testing. It is the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, could develop into cancer," says Dr. Michel Fortier, President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

No time? The more important question is: Can you afford not to take the time? Every year, in Canada, 1,300 to 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 400 women die of this disease. These public Pap test clinics are making it as convenient as possible for women to get tested.

"Increased screening for cervical cancer has led to a tremendous reduction in the number of cases and deaths from the disease each year. Still, far too many women do not receive their regular Pap test and are dying needlessly from this largely preventable cancer," says Dr. Kathleen Gartke, FMWC President.

Women should have their first Pap test within 3 years of any sexual contact or by age 21. They should then have regular Pap tests as often as their health-care provider recommends. 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!(i)

One of the most common reasons for abnormal Pap test results is an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Canada. In fact, the majority of Canadians (75%) will get HPV at least once in their lifetime. Like other infections, HPV may go away without any treatment or problems - but certain low-risk types may cause warts in the genital area, and at least 15 high-risk types may cause cancer.

"While HPV vaccines may prevent up to 70% of cases of cervical cancer in the future, there is no substitute for a Pap test for early diagnosis," emphasizes Dr. James Bentley, President of the Society of Canadian Colposcopists. "Regular Pap tests are a key part of a healthy woman's life, whether or not she has had the HPV vaccination. Women must remember that the vaccine does not protect from all types of HPV, so there is still a risk of developing cervical cancer if you are infected with one of these other types."

Source: FEDERATION OF MEDICAL WOMEN OF CANADA

Source: SOCIETY OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS OF CANADA