Shawnna Taylor cringed at the thought of going for her regular Pap test, so she decided to ignore cervical cancer screening for seven years.
Shawnna’s choice seemed sensible, at least to her. She was in her twenties and felt confident she was healthy enough to forego the discomfort and embarrassment that she associated with the test.
One week before turning 29, though, Shawnna would find out just how misinformed her decision had been. Diagnosed with an inoperable cervical tumour the size of a small kiwifruit, Shawnna faced four months of gruelling chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She and her husband also received the devastating news that as a result of the cancer and treatment, they could never have children.
For this year’s Pap Awareness Week, from October 22 to 28, Shawnna is hoping her story will convince young women that going for a simple Pap test can potentially save them from increased suffering or even death.
A Pap test collects a sample of cells from the cervix to look for abnormalities that have a high risk of turning into cancer if left untreated. A Pap test can also identify cancer at an early stage, when there are more treatment options available and cure rates are still very high.
The BC Cancer Agency recommends that women start getting Pap tests at age 21. After three annual normal Pap tests, women will be advised to have a Pap test every two years until age 69.
To help spread the word, the BC Cancer Agency created a web-based community engagement campaign called the LACE Campaign, also known as “Live Aware. Create Empowerment” (LACE). LACE encourages participation in cervical cancer screening by building awareness that simple PAP tests can effectively prevent cervical cancer.
Since BC introduced its Cervical Cancer Screening Program in the 1960s — the first of its kind in the world — the province has successfully decreased the rates of cervical cancer by 70 per cent.
Women are encouraged to make an appointment with their family doctor for their regular Pap test or go to LACECampaign.com to obtain a list of clinics across the province that offer screening, many that don’t require appointments during the Pap Awareness Week (October 23 to 29).
Shawnna Taylor, cervical cancer survivor
“I know how easy it can be to put off getting a Pap test especially when you are young and feel indestructible. I was just like many young women before my cancer diagnosis but I now know the importance of screening. It takes five minutes and can save lives and prevents unnecessary suffering.”
Dr. Dirk van Niekerk, Medical leader, Cervical Cancer Screening Program, BC Cancer Agency
“While British Columbia’s cervical cancer screening participation rate exceeds the national target of 70 per cent, there are some age groups and areas of the province where rates are significantly lower than the target. It is critical that all women be aware that a Pap test is an excellent way to prevent cervical cancer, and the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, could develop into cancer.”
The BC Cancer Agency is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), a specialist in prevention. PHSA is committed to sharing expertise and knowledge to promote health and prevent illness, manage chronic conditions, and lessen the burden of disease in high risk populations. PHSA encourages British Columbians to participate in screening programs for the early detection of disease to ensure the best health outcome possible.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Provincial Health Services Authority
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