Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Pap-ular Cervical Cancer Screnning Clinic is Back
Early detection is key to cancer prevention and St Joseph’s Health Care London (St Joe's) is making it easy to access cervical screening – no appointment necessary. The next Pop-Up Pap Test Clinic is set for Friday, September 26.
A London woman who attended the last Pop-up Pap Test Clinic is urging others to take advantage of the opportunity for easy access to cervical cancer screening.
Tamarra Heeney, 29, went to the clinic in March 2025 after a friend repeatedly encouraged her to go – it had been seven years since her last test.
“I had the best experience,” she says. “The clinic was organized; the staff were amazing. While I was in the waiting room, the doctor and nurses came out to thank everyone for coming and for taking care of our health.”
Without a family doctor, Tamarra is especially grateful for the clinic. “I would recommend it to anybody. Make sure your friends go too. I’m encouraging every woman in my life to go – we have to look out for each other.”
“Anyone who registers for the test between 9 am and 12 pm will receive their test that day,” says Dr. Robert DiCecco, Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Colposcopy Clinic and Regional Lead for Cervical Screening for the South West Regional Cancer Program. “Those with a negative result can now wait five years to be tested again.”
In each of the three previous Pop-up Pap Test Clinics, an average of 100 people were tested – the majority didn’t have a family physician. And of those tested, about five per cent require a follow-up.
The clinic will offer the latest human papillomavirus (HPV) testing which has replaced the pap test because it is better at helping prevent cervical cancer. The test feels the same – the difference is in the lab.
The Pop-Up Pap Test Clinic is open to anyone with a cervix age 25 and older who has not had a pap test in the past three years.
Date: Friday, September 26 from 9am to 12pm
Location: St Joseph’s Hospital, 268 Grosvenor St in the Colposcopy Clinic. Zone B, Level 4
More information is available on St. Joseph’s website.
Media Contact:
Teresinha Medeiros
Communication Consultant
St Joseph’s Health Care London
519 646-6100 ext 64646 | Cell: 226-219-8885
teresinha.medeiros@sjhc.london.on.ca
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