In efforts to promote awareness of women’s health, January has been designated National Cervical Health Month for the second consecutive year.
To encourage health care providers to open their doors to women who have not had a Pap smear in over three years, Friday is designated as free Pap smear day by the coalition.
“The announcement is made nationwide to try to encourage providers to promote it however, it is implemented on the local level,” Alan Kaye, executive director of the coalition said.
The Pap smear is a test that is performed when there are changes of the cervix. A positive result indicates there may be a problem and further procedures must be done.
Kaye said it is important for women to be aware of the disease because a great amount of cervical cancer is found in women who don’t regularly get the tests.
He also stresses that women on college campuses in particular should be concerned because sexually transmitted diseases are often more prevalent.
Human biology senior Karissa Breen said she wants to go into the medical field and she knows the importance of getting regular exams like the Pap smear.
“I don’t get tested because I think I have cancer or because I feel I am doing anything that puts me at risk,” Breen said. “I just like to be sure, it is better to be safe than sorry.”
But don’t expect to get a free test in the Lansing area on Friday.
Karen Jennings of the Ingham County Health Department said there isn’t a health care provider in the county offering the free tests. However, she said that doesn’t mean people should not go out and get a Pap smear.
“This month is great for people to go out and get tested,” Jennings said. “But no one should feel like it should be limited to one day of the year.”
Jennings is a health educator for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program for Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and is responsible for outreach and education.
The federally funded program offers free Pap smears and mammograms to women who are at least 40 years old and meet other requirements based on things like income and health status.
Jennings said the program is good because it goes year round and is offered in many different locations. It provides all the diagnostic components of the process including follow up treatment if the tests are positive.
Cynthia Munro, clinical nurse specialist for women’s services at Sparrow Hospital, is also involved in the Cancer Control Program.
Munro said it is important that females who are at least 18 years old, or younger women who are sexually active, should be tested once a year.
She said Sparrow was not aware of the month being focused on cervical health and therefore will not be administering free tests.
“We may do something this month now that we know,” Munro said. “But we will definitely do something for next year.”
Munro hopes Cervical Health Month will grow in Michigan and is excited about the possibilities it will give them to promote the other programs they have in place like the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.
“Cervical cancer is a disease that can be cured with early detection,” Munro said. “But the key is for people to be educated and dedicated to getting Pap exams.”
