Demand spurs expansion of pop-up pap test clinics, and there's one happening today
Nearly 200 people attended the the first 2 clinics
A London hospital is expanding its pop-up Pap test clinic program after the first two clinics saw overwhelming demand.
St. Joseph's Health Care London held clinics in January and May, with attendance exceeding expectations. A third clinic is happening on Friday.
St. Joseph's is inviting anyone who has been unable to secure an appointment elsewhere to visit the hospital on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to get a Pap smear test.
"The response we had in January was quite overwhelming. We had over 100 people register that day," said Dr. Robert Di Cecco, St. Joseph's Colposcopy Clinic medical director.
Di Cecco said the clinic held in May attracted 80 people, once again exceeding expectations.
"We thought with the demand and with how important this screening is, if we can at least help some people out it'll be worth it to continue."
Pap tests are incredibly important for cervical health, Di Cecco said, explaining they're most commonly used to detect changes in cells that can later turn into cervical cancer.
During past clinics, when patients were asked why they chose to access the clinic, many reported being unable to secure pap test appointments, especially without access to a family doctor, Di Cecco said.
"If somebody can't get into a primary care provider to get the screening done, we sometimes end up finding out about them when they're a lot more advanced and a lot more difficult to treat," he said.
Di Cecco said he hopes to see the provincial government make strides in making healthcare more accessible in the future but acknowledges goals like increasing the number of family doctors will take years to accomplish.
"We've got a problem right now, and we're hoping this is something other places pick up and start doing themselves. We know we're a small drop in the bucket, but if this can expand, it would be a huge benefit to anyone that requires this kind of screening."
On top of offering a much-needed service, Di Cecco added, it's been extremely rewarding to himself and his clinicians to provide the testing.
"The team here is excited to do it. These are people that need something, and the way the teams pulled together to fill that need has been quite remarkable."