Miami – Uninsured or underinsured women who cannot afford preventive health care have an opportunity to receive free cancer screening at Planned Parenthood of Greater Miami, Palm Beach and Treasure Coast’s (PPGMPBTC) four (4) health centers in the Miami-Dade area.
For the past 22 years, the local Planned Parenthood affiliate has offered “Free Pap Days” to raise awareness and provide this potentially life-saving procedure. Free Pap Day is available between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at the four Miami-Dade health centers on the dates listed below. Appointments may be made by calling the health centers directly.
Thursday, August 24, Miami Health Center, 1699 S.W. 27th Ave., (305) 285-5532
Tuesday, August 29, Kendall Health Center 11440 S.W. 88th St., Ste. 109, (786) 621-0494
Thursday, September 7, South Beach Health Center, 634, Sixth Street, #636, (786) 621-0485
Tuesday, September 12, North Miami Health Center. 681 NE 125th St.,(786) 621-0493
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there will be 9,710 cases of invasive cervical cancer and approximately 3,700 deaths from cervical cancer in the United States in 2006. While these projections align with the steady, four-decade decline since the Papanicolaou (Pap) test was introduced, the disease remains a serious threat, especially among Hispanic and African-American women.
According to the National Cancer Institute, Hispanic women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer than any other ethnic group and black women have the highest rate of cervical cancer deaths. Reasons vary, including lack of health insurance, prohibitive self-pay fees, fear and cultural issues or taboos.
Lillian Tamayo, President and CEO of PPGMPBTC, concurs, “Not surprisingly, our outreach educators tells us that Hispanic and African-American women put the health and well being of their families first, too often not paying enough attention to their own health.”
A highly insidious disease, cervical cancer shows no symptoms in its early stages; many women seek care when the cancer has spread and survival is uncertain. That reality is avoidable, experts say, in light of the fact that cervical cancer is more than 90 percent curable if caught early.
Ms. Tamayo stated, “I am optimistic that recent advances in the reproductive health field will support this effort”. “We are hopeful that the publicity around the approval of the HPV vaccination and the virus’ link to cervical cancer has raised awareness and will motivate women of all ethnicities to be screened. With Planned Parenthood’s Free Pap Days, all women have unimpeded access.” To further preventative care, PPGMPBTC has ongoing, assertive outreach into the Hispanic and African-American communities throughout its seven-county service.
For more information on Planned Parenthood of Greater Miami, The Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast (PPGMPBTC) contact Sudi Lopez at 305-285-5532
