College of American Pathologists Foundation Supports See, Test & Treat® to Remove Barriers to Early Cervical and Breast Cancer Detection for Minneapolis/St. Paul Area Women during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Foundation is funding through grants a See, Test & Treat® program at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center in Minneapolis, Minn.,  on October 9, 10, and 11 during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  For NorthPoint, this is the clinic's seventh See, Test & Treat, a free cervical and breast cancer screening program, supported by the CAP and sponsored by the CAP Foundation. The program features same day medical tests, diagnoses, and same day follow-up  to care will be provided the same day for uninsured and underserved women ages 40 and older, all in a single visit. Appointments are being scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day by NorthPoint health care workers and other staff members.

New to this year's program, participants will have the opportunity to receive free diabetes screening, along with same day results.  While the women wait for their test results, they will have the opportunity to participate in health fair which offers education materials and presentations providing healthy lifestyle tips, including a "Healthy Heart" presentation.

Language interpreters will be onsite to help patients on Tuesday, October 9 (Somali), Wednesday, October 10 (Spanish), and on Thursday, October 11 (Hmong.)  To register, call 612-767-9187(English), 612-767-9162 (Spanish), 612-767-9168 (Hmong), and 612-767-9160 (Somali).  Walk-ins are also welcome.

"Cancer survival rates are directly related to the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, so it's important to remove all barriers to early diagnosis and treatment for all women," said Bradley M. Linzie, MD, FCAP, a pathologist at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and the first recipient of the CAP Foundation 2012 Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award.

As the award recipient, Dr. Linzie received a $22,000 grant from the CAP Foundation. With this grant, he purchased a new microscope with a high definition camera and monitor to show Pap test slides to patients at this year's See Test & Treat program.  He plans to use the new equipment at future See, Test & Treat programs, as well as other community health events. 

"Seeing normal and abnormal cells under a microscope is an engaging and memorable experience for patients," said Dr. Linzie. " The visual display of how Pap tests are evaluated takes away the mystery and motivates women to get regular screening for themselves and share what they have learned with others.  I am grateful to the CAP Foundation to provide this opportunity to patients," added Dr. Linzie.

During the visit, women will be given a pelvic exam, along with a Pap test to detect any potential early signs of cervical cancer, and a mammogram for early detection of breast cancer.  They will then receive their results in a private setting that same day, and appropriate information or care during the same visit.

Traditional screening procedures would have women visit health care professionals twice – once to get examined and once for follow-up care.  Factors such as poor access to transportation, lack of child care, inability to take time off from a job, and other issues present barriers to women in getting the care they need.

"By removing these barriers and using a one-stop, See, Test & Treat model of cancer screening, we hope to reduce the rate of cervical and breast cancer in women in this area," Dr. Linzie said.

Pathologists recommend that women 21 years of age and older who are sexually active should have regular Pap tests. The Pap test is a quick and simple procedure that could change a woman's life.  In addition, the CAP agrees with the recommendations of the American Cancer Society that all women 40 years and older should have annual mammograms, based on their physician's recommendation.

The See, Test & Treat program at NorthPoint also is sponsored by the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®, the Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, American Cancer Society, and a coalition of pathologists, cytotechnologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, health care providers and other medical professionals in the Minneapolis area.  The goals of the program are to encourage healthy behavior, and to have both testing and follow-up care provided in a single visit. 

Hologic is donating a Thin Prep machine and Pap test supplies.  Local businesses will provide small gifts for all women who participate in the program.

About NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center is a comprehensive health and human services agency located in North Minneapolis. NorthPoint seeks to reduce health disparities, improve health outcomes, and enhance the overall quality of life for all residents of North Minneapolis by providing high quality medical, dental and mental health care.

About the CAP
The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society serving more than 17,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world's largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care.

About the CAP Foundation 
The CAP Foundation supports patient-centered and humanitarian roles for pathologists, striving to connect people, especially those in need, to the lifesaving skills of pathologists.  The Foundation provides funding for the See, Test & Treat program through the generous support of CAP member pathologists, staff, foundations, industry, and private donations. For more information or to donate, visit foundation.cap.org.

SOURCE College of American Pathologists Foundation