Old Harbour Health Centre to conduct free screening for cervical cancer

The free service will only be available at the health facility situated in Marlie Gardens, Old Harbour, on April 28, 2023 between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Screening is the best way to identify cancer in its earliest stages, often before it causes any symptoms, the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) stated.

“Without screening, clinicians’ capacity to identify cancer and, consequently, effectively treat it, is significantly reduced,” the statement continued.

“Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Jamaican women.”

Additionally, the health teams will do free breast cancer screenings and administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to females between the ages of nine and 26 years of age and males between the ages of nine and 14 years old.

Cervical cancer screening is done through a process known as Pap smear.

This week’s initiative is in honor of cervical cancer awareness month, celebrated annually in April.

Free screenings will also be conducted this Friday at the Linstead Health Centre, while persons can make use of the service at the Greater Portmore Health Centre on April 29.

Similarly the service will be available on April 30 at the Oak Glades, St Jago Park and Sydenham health centres during the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.