Cervical Cancer Awareness Week October 23 - 29, 2011
October 2011
The CFPC is proud to support Cervical Cancer Awareness Week hosted by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC). Family physicians across Canada are invited to participate in the National Pap Test Campaign by hosting public Pap test clinics during October 23 - 29, 2011.
Involvement of family physicians in the campaign will help to increase awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of prevention. It’s an ideal opportunity to encourage all women to have regular Pap tests by a health care professional (family physician, obstetrician-gynaecologist, registered nurse or midwife), ideally one affiliated with the family practice they attend. Knowledge, screening and vaccination are key to help reduce the number of women who are impacted by this largely preventable cancer.
Family physician involvement will also help improve access to Pap testing, improve the follow-up on and access to the treatment they may require, and increase the uptake of vaccination against HPV – one of the most common reasons for abnormal Pap test results.
A few important stats:
- Each year in Canada, 400,000 women receive an abnormal Pap test result
- Of these, 1,300 to 1,500 are diagnosed with cervical cancer
- Of these, almost 400 will die of the disease
- Vaccination is 99% effective at preventing the types of HPV that cause 70% of all cases of cervical cancer.
This year, Canadians will be able to contact the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Services toll-free number [1-888-939-3333] to confirm the nearest Pap test clinic locations.
Register today at: www.fmwc.ca or send a completed registration form (available on the FMWC website) by fax to: (613) 569-4432. All those who register will receive a participant kit with more detailed information.
Pap Campaign Web Links