October 26, 2012
#Pap12 Volunteer, Karina Aucuna, shares her experience with Pap Tests
By
Bella Sie
I remember my sister insisting that I should go to the doctor for a check-up and to get a Pap test. She assured me that the Pap was a really easy and fast exam, but since I'd never had one before, I was scared and delayed it for years...
This summer, I was volunteering at The Underwear Affair to promote awareness of cancers below the waist when a fellow volunteer handed me a LACE Campaign postcard, which reminded me to go get a Pap. He told me to share the message with my girl friends, and I thought to myself, "I'm volunteering to spread awareness, yet I haven't even taken action myself!" I knew this had to change.
I arrived home and discussed the situation with my fiancé. After all, we are going to get married and be together in sickness and in health. Once we talked about it, the fear I had about getting a Pap suddenly dissapeared, and soon we made an appointment to visit a doctor. I remember entering the doctor's office and getting my first Pap exam holding my sweetheart's hand.
The fears I had before didn't matter once I thought about the long life I plan on sharing with my future husband. If you are scared of getting a Pap test, go with a friend or loved one for support. There is nothing more scary than not knowing about your own health!
Now that I have first-hand experience with Pap testing, I feel great knowing what's going on inside my own body, and even better being able to tell other women that it's important.
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This weekend marks the last 2 days of Pap Awareness Week 2012! Thanks to all the cervixes that visited our participating clinics thus far. If you have yet to treat yourself to a Pap, here's a list of #Pap12 clinics for Saturday and Sunday that are specifically welcoming drop-ins. Don't forget, you can also make an appointment at a clinic near you using our clinic finder tool!
Saturday, Oct. 27
Plum Midwifery
760 Radford Rd, Comox
Saturday, Oct. 27: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Dr Riffat Nigra
1114-7318 137th St, Surrey
Saturday, Oct. 27: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Peninsula Medical Clinic
410-15355 24th St, Surrey
Saturday, Oct. 27: 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Raven Song CHC
2450 Ontario St, Vancouver
Saturday, Oct. 27: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
QE Park Medical Clinic
4060 Cambie St, Vancouver
Saturday, Oct. 27: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Pine Free Clinic
1985 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Saturday, Oct. 27: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, Oct. 28
QE Park Medical Clinic
4060 Cambie St, Vancouver
Sunday, Oct. 28: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Pine Free Clinic
1985 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Sunday, Oct. 28: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Granville Medical Clinic
2578 Granville St, Vancouver
Sunday, Oct. 28: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Tag(s):
LACE campaign,
Sexual Health,
Health/Health Advocacy,
health promotion,
Women
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