BOSTON – For the third straight year, Tufts Medical Center will host See, Test & Treat®, a free cervical and breast cancer screening program, sponsored by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and funded through grants from the CAP Foundation. The program features same day medical tests, diagnoses and follow-up care for uninsured and underserved women ages 21 and older, all in a single visit. The program will take place on Saturday, October 13, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the OB/GYN clinic on the second floor of Tufts Medical Center’s South Building (860 Washington Street in Boston).
Staff from Tufts Medical Center was providing free health checkups and consultation at an event in Tai Tung Village in Boston Chinatown on August 7, 2012. (photo by David Li)
Traditional screening procedures require women to visit health care professionals at least twice – once to have an exam and a second time for follow-up care, if needed. A number of determinants, including limited access to transportation, lack of child care and inability to take time off from a job, may present barriers to care for many women.
| “We are thrilled to bring See, Test & Treat back to Tufts Medical Center again this year, remove those obstacles to care and provide local women with the important screenings they need,” said Barbarajean Magnani, PhD, MD, FCAP, Chair and Pathologist-in-Chief of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Tufts Medical Center. “Numerous studies have shown that an early diagnosis is the key factor in successfully treating cancer. Our goal with this program is to offer a chance for Boston-area women to receive potentially life-changing and life-saving medical tests and care.” |
Each woman attending the event will receive a free pelvic exam and a Pap test, to detect any possible early signs of cervical cancer; Mammograms will also be offered, if appropriate, to screen for breast cancer. Pap test results, physician consultations, and possible follow-up care will be provided the same day; mammogram results will be available following the event. All patients will receive their results in a private setting and will be provided with information about follow-up treatment options, if necessary. Complimentary food, entertainment, health information and children’s activities also will be provided. Each participant will receive a See, Test & Treat t-shirt and Target gift card after the test results are received.
| “We believe it is extremely important to give back to the community which supports us so well,” said Andrea L. Zuckerman, MD, Chief of Women’s Care at Tufts Medical Center. “The See, Test & Treat program offers a unique opportunity for us to provide some of our friends and neighbors with quick and easy access to important medical tests that they otherwise may not be able to have. We hope the event will empower these women to take control of their short- and long-term health.” |
Junliu, 29, arrived in the United States from China in January 2008, to pursue her Master degree in finance. She settled in the Boston area, successfully completing her degree in early 2011. However, in the midst of the economic recession and facing a tough job market, Junliu was not able to find a job relating to her degree. As a result, she had to resort to working in restaurants to make extra money to support herself and pay her bills; she was not able to afford health insurance and went many months without seeing a doctor. After seeing an advertisement for the 2011 See, Test & Treat event at Tufts MC, Junliu decided to attend. It was a good thing she did. Her Pap and HPV tests came back abnormal, and after review by her pathologist, it was determined that pre-cervical cancer cells were present. Since then, Zitao Liu, MD, PhD, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Tufts Medical Center, has provided Junliu with additional tests and follow-up care. She continues to be followed closely by medical professionals.
“I really appreciate what Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Liu and his co-workers have done for me,” said Junliu. “They have provided me with excellent care and maybe even saved my life. It is the kind help of Dr. Liu and his staff that makes Tufts Medical Center famous around the world.”
Pathologists recommend regular Pap tests for all women who are older than 21 or are sexually active. In addition, the CAP agrees with the recommendations of the American Cancer Society that all women 40 years and older should have annual mammograms, based on their physician’s recommendation.
Participants are encouraged to register and reserve an appointment slot for the 2012 See, Test & Treat program by calling 617-636-4872. Cantonese and Mandarin language interpreters will be available to assist patients for pre-registration calls and during the event. Walk-ins are also welcome.
BD Diagnostics donated the Pap test supplies for See, Test & Treat, and Carestream provided the radiology film for the mammograms. Additional event supporters include the College of American Pathologists Foundation, the Massachusetts affiliate for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the Boston Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Sekisui and Gen-Probe.
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About Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children
Tufts Medical Center is an exceptional, not-for-profit, 415-bed academic medical center that is home to both a full-service hospital for adults and Floating Hospital for Children. Conveniently located in downtown Boston, the Medical Center is the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. Floating Hospital for Children is the full-service children’s hospital of Tufts Medical Center and the principal pediatric teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine. Tufts Medical Center is affiliated with seven community hospitals and with New England Quality Care Alliance, its community physicians’ network. For more information, please visit www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
About the College of American Pathologists
The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society serving more than 17,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care.
About the CAP Foundation CAP Foundation
The CAP Foundation supports patient-centered and humanitarian roles for pathologists, striving to connect people, especially those in need, to the lifesaving skills of pathologists. The Foundation provides funding for the See, Test & Treat program through the generous support of CAP member pathologists, staff, foundations, industry, and private donations. For more information or to donate, visit foundation.cap.org.