Women’s cancer is not always pink; in fact, sometimes it’s teal and white and it hides in regions most would rather not discuss. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable. Surprised? It’s time to take action; we owe it to ourselves and the women in our lives to make comprehensive cervical cancer screening a priority.
While tremendous medical advances have been made in the past few decades, an estimated 1,350 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year and an estimated 410 will lose their fight. We believe that this is far too many, and we aren’t alone; cervical cancer is a public health issue, one that Canada is actively working to eliminate.
The Pap test has been a staple in women’s health for 70 years now and though it is a pillar in the fight against cervical cancer, a normal Pap result does not always mean cancer free. This gap is in part responsible for the undiagnosed cases of cervical cancer, and we wouldn’t be healthcare innovators if we weren’t trying to change that.
Roche Diagnostics is committed to women’s health and Canada’s initiative to eliminate cervical cancer is one we take to heart. We, as well as many others, are actively working to help fulfill this promise. Our stance is clear; eliminating cervical cancer starts with proper screening. We are working diligently to ensure that the standard-of-care offered to Canadian women undergoing cervical cancer screening matches the technology that is available. It’s a simple idea with a huge impact; Canada needs a New Pap Test.
The New Pap Test has the potential to make a dent in the number cervical cancer cases seen in Canada. Our mission is to raise the bar for cervical cancer screening and to make The New Pap Test part of the screening protocol in all provinces, at all levels of healthcare. However; this is not a battle we can fight on our own; we need everyone – patients and healthcare professionals alike, to educate themselves and others and demand comprehensive cervical cancer screening.
To learn more about cervical cancer and the New Pap Test visit TheNewPap.ca.
February 25, 2020
Previous In Focus posts