To the editor:

A recent survey from the Prevent Cancer Foundation found that one out of three women who are behind on at least one routine cancer screening would only go if they were feeling signs or symptoms of disease. The trouble is that many cancers don’t have symptoms in the early stages, and when cancer is found later, it is harder to treat.

But there was also good news from the survey. It showed that when people learn the benefits of finding cancer early, 73% were more likely to schedule their routine cancer screening.

This Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Services Program (CSP) of Northeastern NY wants to tell you why regular screening and early detection are so important.

Cervical cancer can be prevented with regular screening! Screening tests can find the cells that lead to cancer. These cells can then be removed before they become cancerous. Screening also helps to find cervical cancer early, when it may be easier to treat.

Cervical cancer is most common among those who have never been screened and those who rarely get screened (waiting five years or more between screenings). If you’ve been putting off getting screened, talk to your doctor about scheduling an appointment or call the CSP for help.

The CSP provides free cervical cancer screening to those aged 40 and older who qualify. If the screening test comes back abnormal, the CSP pays for follow-up testing and helps people get enrolled in the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program, if cancer is found.

Make the CSP your partner in cancer prevention and early detection. Call us at 518-324-7671.

Colleen Jackson

Outreach Coordinator

CSP of Northeastern NY

Plattsburgh