On Saturday October 23rd, Tufts Medical Center will be hosting the College of American Pathologists See, Test and Treat Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Prevention Program, two cancers that affect women. This program is being championed at Tufts by Barbarajean Magnani, PhD, MD, FCAP from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Collaborating physician partners include Dr. Nora Laver (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine), Dr. Andrea Zuckerman (Obstetrics and Gynecology), and Dr. Marc Homer (Radiology). The See, Test and Treat Program is a way to bring testing to an underserved population or a population that may have some barriers in getting regular healthcare and allowing them not only to see a physician, have a screening that they need, but get the results before they go home. This enables them to discuss their results with the physician and schedule a follow-up appointment if necessary. During the See, Test and Treat Program, woman can receive a gynecological exam which includes a PAP smear, breast exam and lab work or a mammogram if necessary.
See, Test and Treat is a program conceived by the College of American Pathologists. They have done it in various places throughout the country. It was originally intended for the Native Americans living on Federal lands because they had real barriers to receiving proper healthcare. That population also has a fairly high incidence of cervical cancer. This was the perfect way for them to get the necessary screening.
Other barriers that women may face 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. Tufts Medical Center is offering this program on a Saturday so women don’t have to necessarily worry about taking a day off from work. Children’s activities will also be provided if they bring their children or if they do not have childcare arrangements. Tufts Medical Center will also offer refreshments and educational programs for the women to help them learn more about their health. “Think about it like this” Dr. Magnani said, “If you are on an airplane, they provide you with instructions about using the oxygen mask in case of emergency. They tell you to put it on yourself first before helping others. Women need to look after themselves first; they need to be healthy in order to take care of their families.”
There may also be cultural and linguistic barriers where women may be afraid to come to a program or to see a health care professional because they are afraid that they won’t be able to communicate. At the See, Test and Treat Program at Tufts Medical Center, interpreters will be available. It is a nice, safe program for women. If they feel like they need to come with a mother, grandmother, or older daughter, they can come together as a group to support one another.
Asian women are encouraged to make an appointment. The event will have appointment slots available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If someone has insurance, they should bring their insurance card but that will not be a barrier to getting seen. To pre-register for this event, call 617-636-4872 (Chinese speaking operators will be available). Walk-ins are also welcome. This will be held in the Tufts Medical Center OB/GYN Clinic located on the second floor of the South building, 860 Washington Street in Boston’s Chinatown.
This is the first article of a three part series on the See, Test and Treat Program.
Article funded through the Asian Health Initiative of Tufts Medical Center