Free Upcoming Program Scheduled to Help Remove Barriers to Early Cervical and Breast Cancer Diagnosis for Minneapolis/St. Paul Area Women

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A free See, Test & Treat™ breast and cervical cancer screening program sponsored by the College of American Pathologists, the NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, will be held at the NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on October 4, 5, and 6. Appointments are being scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day by area community health representatives and other staff members.  

Language interpreters will be onsite to help patients on Tuesday, October 4 (Somali), Wednesday, October 5 (Spanish), and on Thursday, October 6 (Hmong.)  To register, call 612-767-9181(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.  

"This 'See, Test & Treat' program provides immediate breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnoses, and follow-up care, as needed, for local women who are uninsured or underinsured," added Dr. Linzie.

This is the sixth See, Test & Treat event at the North Point Health & Wellness Center.  The first was held in McLaughlin, S.D., in October 2001.

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 treatment 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 any woman who is older than 21 or who is 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 College of American Pathologists supports efforts to expand cervical cancer screening programs to include currently underserved populations of women in the United States.  

The College also recognizes that the lack of access to health care for low income adults and children is a significant societal problem, especially as it relates to important diagnostic and screening tests and tests related to disease treatment.  

As an organization of physicians acutely interested in the well-being of patients, the CAP supports efforts, such as the See, Test & Treat events, to find balanced, realistic, and achievable means to expand health care coverage to uninsured Americans.

The See, Test & Treat program at NorthPoint is sponsored by the College of American Pathologists, the North Point Health & Wellness Center, the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, 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 done 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.

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.

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.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® promise: to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.  

The Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® —along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources—is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join more than 100,000 breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Susan G. Komen Twin Cities Race for the Cure®, we have invested over $33 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in the state of Minnesota. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Komen Minnesota Affiliate stay in the state of Minnesota. The remaining income goes to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Grants Program for energizing science to find the cures. Join us by calling 952-746-1760 or visiting us online at www.komenminnesota.org.

SOURCE College of American Pathologists