For the third year in a row, the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) are launching a National Pap Test Campaign during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, October 23 to 29.

More than 250 health-care professionals across Canada are taking part in the campaign by hosting public Pap test clinics in their communities.

“The real idea is that women do not always consistently get pap tests and so its really encouraging women to either talk to their family doctor or if they don’t have a family doctor or cant access a family health practitioner that we would offer those pap tests to these women who typically face barriers,” said Jennifer McCorriston, Program Manager, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention at Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health (WDGPH).

According to a release the Pap test is the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix which if left untreated have the potential to develop into cancer, making this test an excellent way for women to prevent cervical cancer.

According to Ms. McCorriston each year in Canada about 400,000 women receive and abnormal Pap test result. That means that they will need to go back for further investigation. From those 400,000 each year 1300 to 1500 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and from that number approximately 400 will die of that disease.

“This is a public health concern, people do need to be aware that there are tests that can help,” she said. “Regular screening increases the chances that cancer may be found earlier, and early detection of cancer may increase one’s survival rate.”

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada 15% of women have never been screened and 30% have not been screened in the last three years.

Ms. McCorriston says the current Ontario Screening Guidelines recommend that women have a Pap test every year after their first sexual encounter. If your tests are normal for three consecutive years then you will only need to be tested once every two to three years.

Continuing Pap tests after menopause is also important. Lesbians and women who no longer have sex also need regular Pap tests. Women over 70 who have had at least three normal Pap tests in the part 10 years are the only exceptions and can stop having Pap tests.

She says increasing awareness of what is available and starting discussions with family health practitioners is a major part of this campaign. Providing the opportunity for women to come to a public health clinic if they are uncomfortable discussing this with their male doctor or if they cannot access this test for other reasons is important.

“Health is everyone’s personal responsibility,” she said. “I think (the campaign is) just trying to get the word out there trying to get people talking, trying to ask questions and getting (women) thinking and offering that support to people that maybe cant access the Pap test in other ways.”

During the campaign health-care professionals listed on the FMWC website (www.fmwc.ca) will be extending their working hours and/or devoting one or more working days to specifically conduct Pap tests for women in their communities.

“With millions of women in Canada who still do not get regular Pap tests and/or their HPV vaccination, this campaign seeks to make it as compelling and as convenient as possible for women to get tested and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Canada,” expressed Dr. Mark Heywood, President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, in a release.

“The purpose of the campaign, nationally and (locally), is to reach out to under served women or to women who face barriers,” said Ms. Mc- Corriston. “They might not come and see us to get a pap test, they may have a family health practitioner and that’s great but it is also just to increase the awareness of asking the questions about it and finding out when you should have it.