National Pap Test Campaign for cervical cancer diagnosis

The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) are ready to launch this year's National Pap Test Campaign, to take place during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. From October 24^th to 30^th, over 100 health-care professionals across Canada are taking a stand against cervical cancer by hosting public Pap test clinics in their community.

With the support of the Society of Canadian Colposcopists, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada, and the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, there has been a significant increase in the number of participating clinics this year. Also, for the first time, we have aligned our timing with British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who conduct their own respective provincial Pap test campaigns with the hope that our combined efforts will increase the reach and impact of our call to action for women to get their Pap test now. Why? Because Pap tests save lives!

The Pap test is a woman's best defense against cervical cancer. It is the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, could develop into cancer. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 15% of women have never been screened and 30% have not been screened in the last 3 years!ⁱ  Every year, in Canada, 1,300 to 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 400 women die of this disease. The good news is that between 1996 and 2005, the incidence of cervical cancer declined by 2% per year and, between 1995 and 2004, mortality rates also declined by 2% per year.ⁱⁱⁱ The main reason for these declines is the widespread regular use of Pap test screening.

Time is precious!

Cervical cancer develops over time. The few minutes required for a Pap test could prevent hours, days, months or years in medical appointments, treatments, pain and suffering. Women are dying needlessly from this largely preventable cancer.

Dr. Ahmed Ezzat, President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is concerned about the women who are not getting screened. "Why take the risk of getting cervical cancer when there is a free, quick, effective way to see a problem coming and stop it in its tracks, before it has a chance to do any harm? The Pap test is an important first step in ensuring that cancer does not have time to develop."

During this campaign, over 100 health-care professionals will be donating their valuable time by extending their working hours and/or devoting one or more working days to specifically conduct Pap tests for women in their community, including "walk-ins" (individuals who are not currently their patients).

This campaign hopes to highlight the fact that access to care is an important issue. Not only do a number of Canadian women not have a doctor and cannot successfully find one, but some health-care professionals who are qualified to conduct Pap tests do not include the screening as part of their service offer.

"Cervical cancer screening - the Pap test - must be part of providing health care to women. Administering this type of screening should be encouraged," expressed Dr. Deborah Hellyer, President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada.

"It is important for women to know that a Pap test can not only be done by a gynaecologist; family physicians, midwives, and nurse practitioners can also conduct the screening," said Dr. John Wootton, President of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada.

While access to care is an important issue, there is also the need to ensure that the health-care system is able to support the patient through the entire screening process which includes referral to a colposcopist (lower genital tract specialist) and/or gynecologic oncologist (gynecologic cancer specialist) if the result is abnormal.

"Getting an abnormal Pap test result can be very stressful. It's important for women to remember that getting an abnormal test result does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. The fact is there are several potential causes for an abnormal result and your body can often clear up some of these causes on its own. Sometimes, only a follow-up is required; at others, treatment may be needed. The goal of all of this is to prevent the development of cervical cancer while minimizing unnecessary tests and treatments," said Dr. Michael Fung-Kee-Fung, President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada.

Out of sight. Out of mind. Out of time?

Just because you can't see or feel cervical cancer developing doesn't mean that it isn't happening.

One of the most common reasons for abnormal Pap test results is an infection caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Canada. In fact, the majority of Canadians (75%) will have an HPV infection at least once in their lifetime. Like other infections, HPV may go away without any treatment or problems—but certain low-risk types may persist, and at least 15 high-risk types may cause cancer.

"While HPV vaccines may prevent up to 70% of cases of cervical cancer in the future, there is no substitute for a Pap test for detecting the process before cancer develops," emphasizes Dr. Alexandra Schepansky, President of the Society of Canadian Colposcopists. "Regular Pap tests are a key part of a healthy woman's life, whether or not she has been vaccinated. Women must remember that the vaccines protect against most but not all types of HPV, so there is still a need to perform Pap tests."