Many women shudder at the mention of a pap smear - a routine screening for cervical cancer recommended by health professionals. So much so, some opt to skip the appointment due to its uncomfortable nature.
Recently, the health care staff at Lower Kootenay Band decided to try an innovative approach to encourage more women to get screened: offering free tattoos.
On March 8, an event nicknamed B次元官网网址淧aps and TatsB次元官网网址� promised a free tattoo to anyone who received a pap smear.
The off-the-wall idea was sparked by Gwen Grieves, registered nurse for the LKB, after discussing the need for cervical cancer screening. Pap smears are recommended every three years from ages 25 to 69 to detect precancerous cells, prevent and eliminate the spread of cancer, as well as detect disease in its earliest stages.
Routine screenings can reduce the risks of cervical cancer by 70 per cent and increase the chances of survival to 85 per cent if detected early.
B次元官网网址淭his was 100 per cent GwenB次元官网网址檚 initiative,B次元官网网址� said LKB Nasukin Jason Louie.
B次元官网网址淭he thought behind this was to have an outside-of-the-box way to reach individuals that may not otherwise get the procedure. And it definitely worked.B次元官网网址�
On what coincided with International WomenB次元官网网址檚 Day, approximately 20 registered for the event, with Dr. Carrie Armstrong as the attending physician and tattoo artist Gerry Eyre lending his talents.
The tattoo designs were decided on at a session three weeks prior to the day. For those who werenB次元官网网址檛 keen on permanent ink, they received a gift card to a local spa instead. To further challenge the stigma of a stark, cold waiting room, attendees got to enjoy drinks, pizza, and popcorn with a movie.
While Eyre laughed when he originally received the email invitation, he was honoured to be a part of such a unique event.
B次元官网网址淭o be honest, I didnB次元官网网址檛 even hesitate,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t was a very welcoming, empowering event for everybody. It seemed to go beyond the medical necessity and just had an amazing positive energy with mingling and laughter.B次元官网网址�
During their tattoos, several of the women told Eyre they hadnB次元官网网址檛 been tested for 20 years B次元官网网址� and some not all.
B次元官网网址淲e knew that there is a lot of fear around not just pap smears, but meeting with a health care professional,B次元官网网址� said Louie. B次元官网网址淚 commend the the ladies who attended and got past the fear that surrounds this procedure.B次元官网网址�
While working towards improving the overall health of the LKB community, Louie said more creative ideas are a real possibility.
B次元官网网址淭here was a question raised about doing something similar for the men, for say, prostate exams. And I think thatB次元官网网址檚 a really good idea.B次元官网网址�
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