Surrey Women’s Centre is accepting limited registrations for Pap tests for early detection of cervical cancer and digital mammography for early detection of breast cancer.
Eligible female residents of B.C. will be screened on Jan. 4 at the centre in Whalley.
The screening programs are in collaboration with the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) and the Embrace Clinic (Fraser Health Authority).
If cervical cancer is detected early, chances of survival are as high as 85 per cent.
“A Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix before they become cancer,” said Hannah Varto, a nurse practitioner at Embrace Clinic. “Most women who get cervical cancer have not had regular Pap tests. It is important to have regular Pap tests so that any abnormal cells are found early and treated to prevent cancer.”
Most cervical cancers can be stopped if found early, but usually, cervical cancer grows silently without any obvious symptoms.
“Sometimes bleeding between periods, bleeding during sex or after menopause, pelvic pain or pain during intercourse may be symptoms of cervical cancer,” said Varto.
If a woman has any of these symptoms, she should see her health care provider, Varto said.
BCCA figures show that one in nine Canadian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Regular screening mammograms can find breast cancer early, usually before it has spread. Research has shown a 25 per cent reduction in deaths amongst women who screen regularly.
B.C. women between the ages of 40 and 74 with a primary care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner or naturopath) can book an appointment for digital mobile mammography at Surrey Women’s Centre on Jan. 4.
Surrey Women’s Centre, a safe place for women and girls, invites women to book their appointment for digital mammography and/or Pap test for a few remaining spots.
STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) testing will also be offered to eligible women and girls at Embrace Clinic, under the same roof.
Surrey Women’s Centre is Surrey’s only women’s crisis centre, responding annually to and protecting more than 5,000 women and girls escaping domestic violence and sexual assault. Women in crisis can turn to Surrey Women’s Centre 24 hours a day, every day.
For registration inquiries, contact Ritu Guglani at 778-387-3056 or rg@surreywomenscentre.ca
For more information, visit www.surreywomenscentre.ca