Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has announced a series of Pap test clinics taking place in the Central and Eastern Zones of the province over the next few weeks.
The scheduled clinics are as follows:
– On Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Dr. Hilda Tremblett Wellness Centre in Bonavista. Appointments can be made by calling (709) 468-5176.
– On Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Women’s Health Clinic at Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. To book an appointment, individuals can contact (709) 777-3018 or (709) 777-7460.
– On Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Dr. Y.K. Jeon Kittiwake Health Centre in New-Wes-Valley. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (709) 536-1118.
Additional clinic dates will be announced soon. All appointments will be available on a first come, first served basis, and no referral from a primary care provider is required to attend.
A Pap test is a crucial procedure for cervical cancer prevention. The Canadian Cancer Society advises individuals with a cervix who are sexually active to begin regular Pap testing at age 21. Regular testing is important as it can detect cell changes before they progress to cancer, thus enabling prompt treatment.
In the event of an abnormal test result, which occurs in about one out of ten individuals tested, clients will receive a follow-up call from a healthcare provider to discuss the next steps.
It is also important to note that Pap tests can be booked year-round by contacting a primary health-care provider or by using the province-wide numbers available on the relevant health department website.