B.C. Papapalooza increases access to cervical cancer screening

If you have a cervix and no family doctor in B.C., two med students have the event for you.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) students are hosting an event called the Papapalooza, aimed to provide people who don’t have access with potentially life-saving screening Pap tests.

Alisha Hussey and her co-lead on the project, Anika Brown, say the clinics are geared toward people without physicians.

Spots for the first event in Victoria filled up in a day.

“We were so surprised at just the level of interest from people and the excitement from not only health-care providers but the community … It just blew our expectations out of the water. We thought there was going to be interest but we were a little bit skeptical that we would be able to fill 100 appointments for one clinic in Victoria. It just filled up so fast. We have a waiting list now,” Hussey told CityNews.

‘Preventative care is such an important aspect of our system’

Papapalooza events are also planned in Metro Vancouver, Prince George, and Lake Country, with dates TBD. Two different clinics are set to be held in the Metro Vancouver area, due to the anticipated demand.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, a Pap test is used mainly to “screen for and help diagnose precancerous conditions of the cervix and cervical cancer; help diagnose precancerous conditions of the vagina and vaginal cancer; diagnose infection and inflammation;” among other reasons.


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The procedure can be an uncomfortable one, as it requires the removal of a sample of cells from the cervix.

“If you are somebody that has a vagina or a cervix, you are aware that this test is not the most comfortable thing. It’s a very personal exam and having somebody that you know they’re aware of that and they’re going to take every measure that they can to ensure it’s a respectful experience, an experience that’s safe and welcoming — that’s one of our goals,” Hussey explained.

“Some people are coming to get their first Pap test with us and we have people talking and sharing how they’re feeling nervous or excited on our Instagram.”

Hussey says two doctors in Nanaimo started the idea, with several events already held. Knowing how important such screening can be to a person’s health, Hussey says she and her co-lead decided it was a cause they wanted to join.

The events and demand for the first one in Victoria also come as B.C. continues to grapple with a family doctor shortage.

“We know that people struggle to get access to cervical cancer screening, we know the people that struggle to get access to primary care, to basic primary care right now, there are so many people in B.C. without a family doctor. Preventative care is such an important aspect of our system. Our system is really broken right now and, unfortunately, prevention can sometimes take a back seat,” Hussey explained, adding the current system is more “reactive,” with patients ending up being “the losing end of the spectrum.”

“We wanted to improve access, we wanted to offer this service.”

Cervical cancer screening education

The BC Cancer Agency recommends anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 69 be screened for cervical cancer every three years.

Hussey says in addition to providing people with access to Pap tests, the goal is to also help educate people about the importance of screening.

She tells CityNews other medical students are also helping out to do just that.

“It’s such a beneficial event for everybody because everybody’s going to take something away from this,” she added.

The event in Victoria is set to take place on April 15. With the understanding that most people attending the Papapalooza don’t have a family doctor, Hussey says everyone screened will get a follow up with one of the various physicians volunteering their time.

She credits recent changes to B.C.’s family doctor payment model for getting more physicians on board.

“We know that family doctors are burnt out. The system is now catering a little bit better to them with the new payment plan and it makes it very much worth their while to be able to follow up with these patients without it being extra work that they have to do at the end of the day at home,” Hussey explained.

Each doctor administering the tests will be assisted by medical students, who will also help with follow ups.

Hussey says a new system also means any abnormalities seen that require follow up can be easily referred from Papapalooza to another specialist.

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