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Private clinic reaches out to Saipan women
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Posted on May 01 2002
The Island Medical Center yesterday announced that it will offer free pap smear and well-woman screening to the first 25 women who would sign up for the program beginning today.
Considered as early Mother’s Day offering to all CNMI women, Island Medical Center’s Dr. H. Christine Brown said the medical program, scheduled for the whole month of May, includes breast, pelvic and rectal examinations as well as pap smear.
“All women who are sexually active, or over the age of 18, should get a pap smear and well woman exam every year to look for cancer and diagnose it as early as possible,” said Dr. Brown.
Dr. Brown advised that women over 40, should also get a baseline mammogram, which should be done yearly after the age 50.
“Other things that women may need to check are diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, especially if there is a family history of these ailments or if you are overweight,” she said.
The doctor explained that cervical cancer is highest among women with multiple partners, while breast cancer is highest to single women.
Dr. Brown pointed out that a Well Women Exam is a screening procedure that would determine women’s health status, especially with regards to any gynecological problems.
“At most parts, we won’t be looking for any disease but we would be screening these women. Even single women, starting at 18, should be getting their pap smears, it is important to monitor women on that situation particularly on possible sexually transmitted diseases,” she said.
The Island Medical Center will be conducting the free gynecological exam in collaboration with the Micromed, which will be providing laboratory supplies.
Micromed will be running complete laboratory procedure on specimen taken from the patients, Dr. Brown said.
For inquiries and appointment, call Island Medical Center at 235-8880.
