It is important to take a Pap test and women who have failed to do so in two years are being encouraged to get a test as soon as possible as November 5 will be a Pap Test Screening Day at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre.

Dr Dee Hoyano, medical health officer with the Vancouver Island Health Authority said, “Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with regular, early Pap screening. Taking a few minutes out of your day once a year to have a simple Pap test can save your life.”

Any growth of abnormal cells on the cervix is detected by Pap tests. Cervical cancer can be stopped from developing by detecting the growth of abnormal cells and then treating them.

Reports say that in the past two years one in five B. C. women have not had a Pap screen.

In Canada alone, about 400 women die of this cancer every year and about 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. With annual screening up to 90 per cent of these cases could be prevented.

Another way of preventing the disease is the HPV vaccine but getting a Pap careening is still important for women despite them receiving the vaccine or not.

A nurse practitioner will provide Pap screens. Comox Valley Nursing Centre can be called by women who want to book an appointment for the Pap Test Screening Day.