As Prince Edward Island observes Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, October 22-28, Health PEI is reminding Island women that regular Pap screening can save their lives, says Marilyn Barrett, director of Primary Care Networks and Chronic Disease Prevention and Management for Health PEI.
“Prince Edward Island has a high incidence rate of cervical cancer compared to the national average,” Barrett said. “More than 90 per cent of these cancers can be prevented through regular screening with the Pap test, and investments in the provincial Pap Screening service have improved access to this important screening tool for women.”
Current guidelines promote that women should begin having a regular Pap test as soon as they become sexually active or when they reach the age of 18, and continue to have a regular Pap test at least every two years until the age of 70. Risk of cervical cancer can also be reduced by not smoking, avoiding unprotected sex, and getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The national Pap Screening Guidelines are being reviewed and a revised edition is expected to be released within the next six to eight months.
Health PEI has also taken action to ensure the provincial laboratory can handle the growing number of Pap tests being sent for analysis, said Bill Bylhouwer, director of Provincial Laboratory Services for Health PEI. By the end of October, he said the turnaround time for routine Pap test results will be back to the standard three weeks.
“To address the volume of Pap tests we were receiving and the subsequent backlog that was developing, we were able to secure assistance from a laboratory in Ontario in helping us to analyze Pap tests,” Bylhouwer said. “It’s important to note that urgent Pap tests were never affected and have always been analyzed and the results returned to the patient’s physician within one to two weeks.”
Women can make an appointment with their family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care nurse for a Pap test. They can also make an appointment with the provincial Pap Screening Clinic by calling 902-368-2010 or toll-free 1-866-818-7277. The provincial Pap Screening Clinic is a free service available to women between the ages of 18 and 69. Pap screening clinics are held across the province each year.
For more information on the provincial Pap Screening Program, please visit: www.healthpei.ca/papscreening.