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University of Michigan Health System and Verizon Wireless offer free cervical cancer screening Jan. 21 in Livonia

Free, life-saving screening key for women without health insurance

Ann Arbor, MI. -- Cervical cancer, a disease easily identified through painless Pap smears, is the cause of more than 11 deaths among women each day. In Michigan, where the state-wide rate of cervical cancer is consistently higher than the national rate, there is an increased need for screening programs, particularly for women who do not have health insurance.

Free Cervical Cancer Screening

When: Saturday, January 21, 2012
1 - 4pm

Where: U-M Livonia Health Center
20321 Farmington Rd.

Livonia, MI 48152

Map and Directions

Registration Required
Please call the U-M Cancer Answer Line to schedule your appointment: 1-800-865-1125.

In commemoration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the U-M Health System and Verizon are partnering to offer free Pap tests from 1 - 4 p.m., Sat. Jan. 21, 2012 at the Livonia Health Center, 20321 Farmington Rd., Livonia.

The event is part of an ongoing effort to ensure all women have access to life-saving cervical cancer screening.

The U-M Health System Cervical Cancer Screening Project, funded by Verizon, will serve women over the age of 21 who have not had a Pap test in the last two years and do not have health insurance that covers Pap tests. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the U-M Cancer Answer Line at 1-800-865-1125.

Cervical cancer, caused by pre-cancerous diseases that are detectible by Pap smears, is 100% treatable if found early. However, many women do not have access to screening programs that can detect.

"Cervical cancer is almost totally preventable, but prevention and screening are not adequately in place," says Timothy Johnson, M.D., Chair of the U-M Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. "We know that screening with Pap smears is effective, but too many women who need this screening are not able to access it. Our key focus, then, needs to optimize education and access."

While screening is important for all women over the age of 21, it's critical for Hispanic and African-American women between 30-55 years old who are at highest risk of developing cervical cancer.

Current guidelines suggest that women should be screened yearly starting at age 21 or three years after the onset of sexual activity.

Free Cervical Cancer Screening

The Verizon Foundation made a generous grant to University of Michigan Health System so that this service can be provided free-of-charge.

Written by Lauren McLeod; contact by Phone: 734-764-2220 or E-mail: lemcleod@umich.edu.

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