Cervical Screening Initiatives
implements the cervical screening program throughout the Western Region as well.
Cervical cancer prevention in Newfoundland and Labrador is vastly improved with the introduction of the new vaccine for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is a very common infection. The link between cervical cancer and HPV has been solidly shown, however not every person who may come in contact with HPV will develop cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is made available to girls at grades 6 and 8 through the provinicial school based immunization program.
The simple Pap test will detect early cell changes that are precursors to cervical cancer. Women who are, or ever have been sexually active, are encouraged to see their regular health care provider for annual screening. In Newfoundland and Labrador approximately 85,000 women are screened and 8,000 women will have an abnormal Pap test each year. Unfortunately, that leaves about 140,000 women not screened. The program works diligently with health care providers to ensure that opportunities are made for women to be able to access Pap screening.
For information about a clinic near you CALL toll free: 1 866 643 8719.
The provincial program provides guidelines for improving the follow up and management of cervical screening. Each year monitoring reports provide indicators of the performance of the provincial program. These reports can review the participation rates for communities and provides a planning format for improving screening in places where women lives. The maps can be found on the program web site or through
www.communityaccounts.ca under the regional health authorities – health- maps section. In partnership with health care educators and providers, we are looking to reduce the burden of cervix cancer for the women of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The regional Program’s goal is to decrease mortality and morbidity rates of Cervical Cancer by promoting Pap participation on a regular basis to all eligible women in the Western region. The services provided by the regional coordinating office include:
- Development and dissemination of education resource material to professionals, volunteers and women in the community.
- Orientation of physicians and public health nurses about the CSI Program.
- Distribution of enhancement tools to providers (Nurse Examiners, Nurse Practitioners and Physicians).
- Prepare ad hoc and yearly performance indicator reports.
- Facilitate recruitment in the region by participating on teams with key stakeholders to identify gaps in service and low recruitment areas (Primary Health Care, Education & Recruitment Committee, Management).
- Provide professional development opportunities for nurse examiners, physicians and nurse practitioners.
- Liaise with lab partners in the generation of statistics on Pap participation and quality assurance mechanisms for the laboratory as it relates to cervical cancer screening.
For further information please visit our site or contact the Cervical Screening Coordinator at 637-5000 ext 6435