Cervical cancer - how it presents, how we screen for it and what we look for - is changing. Over the past three years, the number of cancers picked up at early stages of the disease has doubled. More women are having cancer of the cervix diagnosed at an earlier stage of disease. Earlier diagnosis means much more successful treatment and improved quality of life.
Cervical cancer is highly preventable through regular screening. Cervical cancer often takes up to ten or fifteen years to develop, and the regular Pap test will detect changes long before cancer develops. These early changes in the cells of the cervix are treatable and curable.
The challenge remains to increase cervical cancer screening for the women of Newfoundland and Labrador. “This past year we have been successful in partnering with health care providers to provide Pap test Clinics in rural communities where screening rates were particularly low,” comments Joanne Rose, Provincial Director of the Cervical Screening Initiatives Program. “What women need to remember is a pap test can help save their life”.
Earlier this year, the province implemented a new technology for the collection and processing of Pap tests. This Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) improves the quality of the test and the screening of the sample in the laboratories. With this new Pap test, there is also the addition of Reflex HPV Testing- a second test done in the lab for a small number of mildly abnormal Pap tests. “This will reduce anxiety and referrals for women with low-grade abnormal reports,” comments Dr Lesa Dawson, Medical Director for the Program. “Overall our goal is to reach out to women who have not had a recent Pap test and through screening, reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer. We want women to know that cervical cancer does not have symptoms. A Pap test is the only way to know if things are okay.”
Dr. Dawson goes on to say, ”The announcement of the new Provincial vaccination program for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has provided great promise in the long term for prevention of cervical cancer. Pap tests are, and will continue to remain, a vital component in the prevention and treatment of cancer of the cervix.”
“Even with these improvements to health services and technology we cannot make a difference unless more women are screened,” states Lori Harnett, Provincial Women’s Health Educator for the Cervical Screening Initiatives Program. “The message for every woman is: You have the power to change the face of cervical cancer. A regular Pap test with your doctor or health care provider can save your life!"
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For more information contact
Heidi Staeben Simmons, Director of Communications
Western Health 709 637 5252
Backgrounder:
Fact Sheet on Cervical Screening for Women in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Cervical Screening Initiatives Program was launched provincially in 2003. In 2007 the final staffing components were realized and the Provincial team in place. Regional Coordinators and support staff are in place in each Health authority: Western Health, Labrador Grenfell Health, Central Health, and Eastern Health (Rural and St John’s and Surrounding Area).
Dr Lesa Dawson has completed a recent review of all new cases of cervical cancer in the province, which shows that although many women presented with symptoms, over half had their cancers detected by Pap screening alone. Because the women had a Pap test done, those cancers were detected before symptoms even started.
Cervical cancer is highly preventable. Pap screening is the key. Cervix cancer often takes up to ten or fifteen years to develop, and the regular Pap test will detect changes long before cancer develops. These early changes in the cells of the cervix are treatable and curable.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer for Canadian women between the ages of 20–44.
The average age of women presenting with cervical cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador is approximately 43.