Jewish General Hospital - Press releases

2012/10/19

Jewish General Hospital to offer appointment-free cervical cancer screening

The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) is inviting women to take advantage of an appointment-free, public, cervical cancer screening clinic offered as part of the National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (October 21-27). To contribute to the health of Canadian woman, the JGH participates in raising awareness about vaccination and providing free testing for women between 21-65 years of age.

Dates: Monday, October 22, 2012, between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 25, 2012, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Location: JGH Women’s Care Centre, 5790 Côte-des-Neiges Rd., Pavilion H, 3rd floor.

The Pap test has been the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, may develop into cancer. With the technology used today, a woman need only be tested at 3 year intervals to effectively screen for this debilitating cancer that is one of the major causes of cancer death in women under 40. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 15 per cent of women have never been screened for cervical cancer and 35 per cent have not been screened in the last three years.

“We are once again pleased to provide women with the preventative measures necessary to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer,” explains Dr. Cleve Ziegler, Director of Gynecology at the JGH. “A woman’s access to regular cervical cancer screening is essential, and this can be a challenge in a city where 35 per cent of women don't have a regular doctor.”

"By making these tests available, the JGH is once again demonstrating its commitment to providing access to essential healthcare services to as many as people as possible who come to us from across Montreal and Quebec," says Dr. Hartley Stern, Executive Director. "In addition, these tests offer further confirmation of the JGH's emphasis on preventive medicine to safeguard the well-being of patients and to minimize the long-term burden on the public healthcare system."

The National Pap Test Campaign, organized by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC), not only encourages women to get screened for cervical cancer, but hopes to highlight the difficulty of gaining access to care, including Pap tests.

Every year, in Canada, 1,300 to 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 400 will die from the disease. Since the introduction of the Pap test, the incidence of cervical cancer and mortality has declined by 70% in women who participated in cervical cancer screening programs. However, the rates in current practice have leveled. In the 21st Century, HPV testing will further reduce cervical cancer as per patients’ expectations.

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Contact:

Glenn J. Nashen, Director
Astrid Morin, Media Relations
Public Affairs and Communications
Jewish General Hospital
Tel.: 514-340-8222 ext. 4612
Email: amorin@jgh.mcgill.ca
Website: jgh.ca