After the overwhelming response to Pap Day at Morden Menzies Medical Centre (MMC) in Spring, the clinic is offering an entire month for anyone with a cervix between the ages of twenty-one and sixty-nine who are sexually active, to book an appointment with a female doctor or nurse practitioner for a Pap test.
Doctor Leanne Nause said the team saw a need to expand the availability for the entire month of October.
"Yes, the Pap Day we had was very successful. It was very well received by the patients, the patient population and our staff too. It was kind of an exciting day to see as many people access our care. We know access to care is an issue and that's why we did put something like this together so that people know how to get a Pap."
Nurse Practitioner Caroline Bitton explained what the procedure is all about.
"We're taking samples of the cells where the cervix is located. We're screening for squamous cell cancer, and it's largely due to HPV virus, that's what we're screening for. We take care of the results as they come in. And usually it's done every three years, if it's normal. And if it doesn't come back as a normal result, there's different abnormalities and we deal with it as they come. They have different management."
Dr Nause recommended a test be done every three years.
"The reason this screening test is so wonderful is we're actually looking for the changes occurring before the cancer, that there is treatment, and that there are ways of preventing it. That's a very encouraging thing. If you don't get your Pap, if it waits too long, that's when we start to see those changes transform into cancer. So, this is a very good screening test and that we can do things before."
*With files from Nicole Klassen
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Find the full interview with Nicole Klassen, Dr Leanne Nause and Nurse Practitioner Caroline Bitton here: