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University of Michigan Health System offers free cervical cancer screening March 24 in Ann Arbor

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

--added 1/12/2012

Ann Arbor, MI. -- Cervical cancer, a disease that's curable if detected early through a Pap test, kills more than 11 women each day. In Michigan, the state-wide rate of cervical cancer is consistently higher than the national rate - which means there is even more need for screening programs, particularly for women who do not have health insurance.

The University of Michigan Health System will offer a free Pap test screening from 1-4 p.m., Saturday March 24 at the Briarwood building 2 [U-M Briarwood Center for Women, Children, & Young Adults], Suite B, 400 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Ann Arbor.

Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the U-M Cancer Answer Line at 800-865-1125.

The U-M Health System Cervical Cancer Screening Project, funded by Verizon, will serve women over 21 who have not had a Pap test in the last two years and do not have health insurance that covers Pap tests.

Many women do not have access to screening programs, which identify the earliest signs of cervical cancer and cervical cells that could become cancerous. This event is part of an ongoing effort to ensure all women have access to life-saving cervical cancer screening.

"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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