Morden Menzies Medical Centre (MMC) is responding to a need in the community, offering a full day of PAP (Papanicolaou) Tests for patients who are eligible for one and haven’t had one for some time.
Nurse Practitioner Caroline Bitton explained further.
“We recognized that there was a need with losing some primary care providers in a region. There's less providers to provide this service, and so we were getting a lot of calls at the clinic asking for this type of service. So, we just thought, ‘Why don't we make it a day?’ So, we can capture a lot of people that may be waiting, or maybe not knowing this is something that should be done.”
Bitton explained why the cervical test is important and what it tests for.
“Basically, a PAP test is to screen for cervical cancer and so that's why we have it done. Typically, it's done every three years. If you've had it done before, you'll typically get a letter in the mail to let you know if you're late getting it done.”
The test used to be required more often, but Britton went on to explain why is has changed to a 3-year cycle.
“We do it every three years because they saw the benefit of doing it more often wasn't there. And basically, it caused a little bit more anxiety and unnecessary tests doing it more often. So, that's why they came back to the number of having it done every three years.”
PAP day appointments will be 15 minutes long, to try to give as many women the opportunity needed to get as many tests done as possible. There aren’t any special instructions to prepare for the test, other than the test isn’t usually done during a menstrual cycle. All tests will be done with female physicians, as this may be preferred.
Britton noted only those who receive results of concern will be contacted, those with negative results will not, but are always welcome to call to make sure.
MMC Executive Director Nicole Walske said they will evaluate the response to the day, noting for some this may be their only chance, for a while, to get a test done.
“Unfortunately, with the loss of primary care providers, patients can only schedule an appointment, typically with their family practitioner. So, if you don't have a primary care provider, that's where this gap in care has come from. So, until we can organize a follow up PAP Day, that might be the next available opportunity.”
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Hear the full interview with Caroline Bitton and Nicole Walske here:
- With Files from Nicole Klassen