An innovative pop-up clinic that screens women for cervical cancer is returning to St. Joseph’s Health Care London.
The Pop-up Pap Test Clinic at the facility's Colposcopy Clinic at 268 Grosvenor Street will welcome women from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. This is the second time St. Joseph's has held the pop-up. Its first one in January drew more than 100 people, many of whom began lining up before the doors opened.
"It’s clear there is a tremendous need in our community for accessible cervical screening and it’s imperative we respond,” said Dr. Robert Di Cecco, the clinic's medical director.
He noted that the majority of those who attended the first clinic did not have a family doctor and were overdue for the screening. It is recommended that women aged 25 and older have a pap smear done every three years. Regular screening can catch changes in cervical cells that may in future develop into cancer. Early detection makes treatment easier and can prevent cervical cancer from developing. However, data from the Ontario College of Family Physicians estimates there are currently 84,000 people in the London region who do not have a family doctor. This can make receiving regular screening difficult.
"While we’re pleased with the success of our clinic, its popularity is also an unsettling indication of the lack of access to family physicians and primary care, which means people are missing out on important screening in London,” said Di Cecco, who is also the regional lead for cervical screening for the South West Regional Cancer Program. “The turnout also told us that there is a great desire by people to look after their health.”
St. Joseph’s first clinic found five individuals with abnormal test results. They are receiving follow-up care.
"It may be uncomfortable and awkward and weird to get a pap test, but it takes two minutes and I’d rather find out there’s a problem early than die of a cancer that could have been prevented,” said Paige Wall.
The 31-year-old, mother of three attended the January clinic. It was her first time being screened in ten years. She noted that she has not been able to find a family doctor since hers retired.
“I was so grateful and relieved to be screened at St. Joseph’s," said Wall.
Appointments, nor referrals, are required to attend Friday's pop-up pap test clinic. It is being run in collaboration with the South West Regional Cancer Program.