(SAINT JOHN) October 22, 2019 - The Women's Wellness Centre on the 9th floor of Horizon's St. Joseph's Hospital in Saint John will be hosting a free Pap test clinic on Thursday, October 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The clinic is part of a larger Pap testing campaign by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada to raise awareness for cervical cancer and prevention. The Pap test is the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, could develop into cancer.

Horizon encourages women to have a Pap test to check for cervical cancer. Most women ages 21 to 69 should have regular Pap test, every three years.

Each year in Canada, 400,000 women receive an abnormal Pap test result, about 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and almost 400 women die of this disease. The good news is that since 1996, the incidence of cervical cancer has declined and, since 1995, mortality rates have also decreased. Knowledge, vaccination and screening are key to help reduce the number of women dying needlessly from this largely preventable cancer.

The clinic is free and no appointment is necessary. Please register with your Medicare card in the main lobby.

- 30 -

For more information contact:

Emely Poitras
Media Relations
1-877-499-1899
media@horizonnb.ca
news.horizonnb.ca