TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM

Released on February 18, 1998

Health Minister Clay Serby today announced that a task force has been

formed to develop a cervical cancer screening program for

Saskatchewan.



"This program is important because early diagnosis can make a

difference," Serby said. "We hope an organized screening program will

reach more Saskatchewan women in more communities, especially those

women at highest risk."



The Cervical Cancer Screening Task Force will bring together

provincial experts and health district representatives to provide

advice on how to design an organized program to screen women for

cervical cancer. The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency will work in

partnership with health districts, other health stakeholders and

Saskatchewan Health to develop the program. Saskatchewan used the

same approach to implement a Screening Program for Breast Cancer,

which is one of the most successful in Canada.



Pat Krueger, chairperson of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, said,

"Prevention and early detection are critical aspects of the Agency's

responsibility. Development of a cervical cancer screening program

addresses these components and is one focus of our new Division of

Epidemiology and Preventive Oncology."



The main recommendations of the Health Services Utilization and

Research Commission (HSURC) study on cervical cancer screening

will serve as the building blocks for the development of the

screening program. The HSURC study found that women at greatest

risk for developing cervical cancer, for example women over 35

years, are least likely to be screened. The study also found

that low risk women, for example women 18 - 34 years, are

frequently over-screened. It recommended targeted recruitment

initiatives and on-going evaluation to correct the inequity.



On average, 15 Saskatchewan women die from cervical cancer each

year. According to the HSURC study, an organized screening

program can have a major impact on increasing survival rates of

women diagnosed with cervical cancer because when diagnosed

early, cervical cancer can be treated effectively.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088