The following is adapted from an interview of Dr. BJ Magnani, Chief of Clinical Pathology at Tufts Medical Center on the See, Test and Treat Program.
Reporter: Dr. Magnani, I know that you are the Chief of Clinical Pathology at Tufts Medical Center. What type of work does that entail?
Dr. Magnani: Many of the medical laboratories in the United States are overseen by board-certified pathologists. Pathologists are physicians who study tissue, cells and fluids that are obtained from the body. For example, you might have a skin lesion or a small mole that would be sent to the laboratory. The specimen is processed and the pathologist would review those results and render a diagnosis. Another example would be a Pap test. It is sent to the laboratory, a slide is made from the material submitted and the pathologist reads the slide to determine if cancerous cells are present.
Reporter: I know that you have a wonderful program coming up that offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings; can you tell us more about it?
Dr. Magnani: The program that we will offer at Tufts Medical Center is the College of American Pathologist’s See, Test and Treat. This is a way to bring testing to underserved and uninsured populations or a population that may have some barriers in getting regular healthcare screenings. It allows them not only to see a physician and have the screenings that they need, but they also can get the results before they go home.
Reporter: So when is the See, Test and Treat Program and how can people find out more about it?
Dr. Magnani: The program will be held on Saturday October 23 at Tufts Medical Center on South 2 in the OB/GYN Clinic. The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has partnered with the College of American Pathologists, the Tufts Departments of OB/GYN and Radiology, the Massachusetts affiliate for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, and the Massachusetts chapter of the American Cancer Society to provide the exams and screenings.
Reporter: How did this program start?
Dr. Magnani: This is a program that was initiated by the College of American Pathologists originally for Native Americans living on Federal land because they had a true barrier to receiving health care. This will be the first time the program will be in New England.
Reporter: What else can you tell me about the program?
Dr. Magnani: What is really important is that women are so busy taking care of their families, their career, or their businesses that they don’t have time to look after their own health. This program is being offered on a Saturday so that women don’t have to worry about taking a day off from work and we will have activities for children if women need to bring them along. We will also have some refreshments and educational programs for the women to learn more about women’s health.
Reporter: What do you see as some of the barriers for Asian American immigrant women to take more preventative measures to ensure better healthcare?
Dr. Magnani: I think that there may be some cultural barriers where women may be afraid to see a healthcare professional particularly if communication (language) is an issue. At our See, Test and Treat Program we will have interpreters. It is a nice safe program. If women feel like the need to come with a mother, grandmother or older daughter, they can come together as a group to support one another.
Reporter: What else would you like to add?
Dr. Magnani: I would like to encourage women to make an appointment. The event will have appointment slots available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the event will be over at around 5:30 p.m. We have also secured extra slots for walk-in appointments. If you have insurance, we will definitely be using it, but that is not a barrier to getting seen.
Article funded through the Asian Health Initiative of Tufts Medical Center