Download CAPE BRETON DISTRICT HEALTH AUTHORITY

CAPE BRETON DISTRICT HEALTH AUTHORITY
For Immediate Release:
Oct. 23, 2013
Expanded Well Women’s Clinics Improve Access for Pap Tests and Screening
The Cape Breton District Health Authority is hoping to encourage more women to have a pap test by expanding
Well Women’s Clinics so they are more accessible.
An additional weekly clinic is now in place in New Waterford. Clinics are now also held monthly in Louisbourg at
the Fire Hall. In the Sydney area, a monthly clinic has been added at Every Woman’s Center. The District is also
hoping to start a weekly clinic in Membertou in the near future.
Clinics continue to be provided in Sydney, North Sydney, Glace Bay, Neil’s Harbour, Inverness and Baddeck.
This week, Oct. 20-26 is Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. A pap test is used to screen for cervical cancer. Every
year in Nova Scotia, 60 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Of these 60 women, half will die. About 95%
of all cervical cancers can be prevented by having regular pap tests.
“One out of every four women in Nova Scotia is not participating in regular cervical screening,” says Lori Marsh,
District Screening Nurse with the Cancer Screening, Early Detection and Prevention Program. “Many factors can
contribute to low participation rates in screening programs such as access, hours of operation and location. People
who have a low socioeconomic status tend to be underscreened, so making our services accessible in as many
communities as possible is important to us.”
The Well Women’s Clinics are staffed by female providers, including female physicians, nurse practitioners and
specially trained registered nurses. During an appointment at a clinic, clients receive a pap smear and a clinical
breast exam. A history is taken regarding participation in all available cancer screening programs in Cape Breton
including cervical, breast and colon. Education is a key component of a clinic visit.
“Knowledge is power,” says Marsh. “When you are aware of screening programs and their significance in reducing
cancer risk, you are more likely to participate.” She adds that clinic staff also educate clients on cancer risk factors
like diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and smoking.
Screening is done in communities throughout the District year round. A list of the clinics is below. To make an
appointment, call the toll free number 1-877-794-5427.
-30Lori Marsh will be available for interviews on Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Oct. 25.
Contact:
Lori Marsh, RN
Cancer Screening, Early Detection and Prevention Program
574-0139 (cell)
District’s Well Women’s Clinics:
Sydney: Kings Road Medical Clinic:
-Every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday-Female Physician- 9 am – 12 pm
Sydney: Every Woman’s Center:
-Monthly: 9 am – 3 pm – RN Provider
Glace Bay Hospital: 3rd Floor:
-Every second Tuesday- RN Provider- 9 am – 3 pm
-Monthly-Female Physician- 8 am – 4 pm
New Waterford Consolidated Hospital: 2nd Floor
-Every second Monday-RN Provider-9 am – 3 pm
-Every Tuesday-RN Provider-9 am – 3 pm
Northside General Hospital:
-Every Tuesday: 9 am – 12 pm- Female Physician
3 pm – 530 pm- Female Physician
-Every Thursday: 9 am – 12 pm- Female Physician
Louisbourg: Louisbourg Fire Hall:
-Monthly- RN Provider- 9 am – 3 pm
Buchanan Memorial Hospital: Neil’s Harbour:
-Every two months- Female Physician or Female RN- 9 am – 4 pm
Inverness Consolidated Community Health Center: Inverness:
-Every two months- Female Physician or Female RN- 9 am – 3 pm
Victoria County Memorial Hospital: Baddeck:
-Monthly on Saturday- female Nurse Practioner-9 am – 3 pm