The Fort Drum MEDDAC Primary Care Clinic staff recognizes that many female patients find it difficult to schedule their Well Woman exam during the week because of work, school and child care responsibilities.
In an effort to better accommodate these patients, the PCC has established Well Woman Saturdays, a program designed to provide women an opportunity to schedule their overdue Pap smear.
The program kicked off in December and received a great response, according to Kim Contino, Fort Drum MEDDAC population nurse.
"The atmosphere is more relaxed and waiting time is significantly less than during the week," Contino said.
According to the American Cancer Society, screening tests, such as Pap tests, offer the best chance to detect cervical cancer at an early stage. When cervical cancer is found early, it is one of the most successfully treated cancers.
For women ages 21 to 65, cervical screening, through a Pap smear, is recommended every three years, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
If women 30 to 65 want to lengthen the time between screenings, they have the option of screening with a combination of Pap smear and human papillomavirus, or HPV, testing every five years.
"The Well Woman exams we are scheduling on Saturday mornings are specifically for women who are due or overdue for Pap test," Contino said.
During Well Woman Saturdays, only Well Woman appointments are scheduled, creating an environment made up of mostly women, Contino said.
In addition to receiving a Well Woman exam, women who schedule Saturday appointments also can learn more about the Army Wellness Center and Fort Drum fitness centers.
Representatives from "the Army Wellness Center and the Monti (Physical) Fitness Center have been in the reception area to answer questions and provide information about their programs," Contino said.
The next Well Woman Saturdays will be March 21 and April 25.
Appointments are available from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and must be scheduled in advance.
If you are a TRICARE beneficiary who is enrolled with a primary care manager at Guthrie Ambulatory Health Care Clinic and would like to know more information about Well Woman Saturdays or schedule an appointment, call the PCC outreach nurses' lines at 772-3206 / 3234 / 2039.
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