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WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE
Prevention and Screening - Cervical Cancer Screening
At one time, cancer of the cervix was a major cause of death among women in
British Columbia. However, there has been a major decrease in the death rate
because of screening, early diagnosis and treatment.
The BC Cancer Agency's cervical cancer-screening program was the first organized
program in the world to screen for cervical cancer. In B.C., approximately 75%
of women age 20-69 were screened in a recent 30-month period. Our goal is to
screen 80% of those at risk every two years.
The cervical screening program is credited with an 85% reduction in the number
of B.C. women getting cancer of the cervix and for reducing cervical cancer
deaths by 75% since the 1950s.
The program works as follows:
Women go to their family doctor or other health professionals to have a Pap
smear; the smears are then sent to the BC Cancer Agency's central laboratory;
the laboratory staff then interprets the slides, and the results are then
provided to the health-care provider; the BC Cancer Agency keep tracks of Pap
smear results, makes recommendations for further testing or treatment (if
needed), and sends follow-up letters to encourage regular screening. Regular
screening with a Pap smear is the best way to find cell changes early before
they develop into cervical cancer. By treating cell changes early, cervical
cancer can usually be prevented.
The benefits of a cervical screening program far outweigh the risk of error.
Cervical Caps
This is a method of birth control that is not widely used because it takes over two weeks to become confident in its use, and some women are not comfortable inserting and removing a device on a regular basis.
This method is a barrier method similar to the diaphragm but much simpler to use and more comfortable to wear. The cervical cap does need to be fitted by a trained professional.
The diaphragm is a receptacle for spermicidal jelly, whereas the cervical cap is a true barrier in that it covers the cervix entirely. A small amount of spermicide is also used however this is not a crucial aspect of this method. The importance relies on the proper covering of the cervix and the adequate suction of the cap on the cervix to keep it in place. It may also stay in place up to 48 hours without further adjustment. It is not used over the period and it is imperative that the cervix and vagina be healthy.
The effectiveness parallels the diaphragm and the condom at 96% if used 100% correctly!
Link: www.cervcap.com
