To improve access to cervical cancer screening for rural women, East Central Health has secured funding from the Alberta Cancer Board to implement the fourth year of the Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention Program. From January to March, cervical cancer screening clinics will be offered in numerous rural communities. The clinics this year will be offered in Bashaw, Heisler, Bruce, Holden, Andrew/St. Michael, Willingdon, Myrnam/Derwent, Minburn/Innisfree, Irma, Marwayne, Edgerton/Chauvin, Tulliby Lake, Hughenden/Czar, Paradise Valley/Rivercourse, Sedgewick, Two Hills, Alliance/Galahad, Kinsella, Bruderheim/Chipman, Mundare, and Hardisty.

The clinics feature a female physician to perform a Pap test, along with an educational component. Lay health workers from each community will recruit women to attend the clinics. Last year�s project was a success and resulted in a total of 320 women participating in the cervical cancer screening evening clinics offered in 18 communities. Significantly, over 56% of the women tested reported not having had a Pap test for three years or more. The goal of the program is to reduce the incidence and death from cervical cancer through better prevention and early detection.  The project targets women ages 18-69 who have not had a Pap test in the last two years. This group experiences increased risk of cervical cancer since their yearly Pap testing rate is less than similar-aged women in more densely populated areas. 

Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet Albertan women continue to develop and die from the disease. About half of Albertan women who develop cervical cancer have never had a Pap test or have not had one as often as recommended. Since the introduction of the Pap test 40 years ago, deaths from cervical cancer have declined. In the past 10 years this decline has leveled off, suggesting that the current practice needs improvement.Women are encouraged to have a yearly Pap test, since the test can identify early changes in cervical cells.  The changes can then be treated before they develop into cancer.  If cancer has already developed, the Pap test finds it at an early stage when it is easier to treat and almost always curable. Cancer of the cervix is potentially preventable because of the Pap test.  All women who have had sexual intercourse should have a yearly Pap test beginning at age 18 and continue until age 69. 

For more information on the clinics or Pap testing, please watch your local newspaper for announcements of upcoming clinics, or contact Victoria Person, Project Coordinator, at victoria.person@ech.ab.ca, (780) 853-5270, East Central Health, Public Health-Vermilion.