Most women can survive breast and cervical cancer… if found early This could

Women’s Wellness Connection is a statewide program that focuses on early detection and prevention of breast and cervical cancer. This is important for all women because when cancer is caught early, it’s easiest to treat and defeat. In fact, nearly all women can survive breast and cervical cancer when it’s found early!

In this Q&A, Montrose Health Women’s Health Navigator Rachel Jacques talks to women about the importance of getting routine exams and screenings for breast cancer and cervical cancer, and how she can help them overcome barriers to care.

Who is this program for?

You have to be a woman between the ages of 21 to 64. You can be uninsured or underinsured, which means you have a super-high deductible or co-pay for an office visit that you can’t afford. Once you qualify for the program, the program is free to you from your first office visit to diagnosis.

What tests/screenings are included?

We focus on HPV (Human papillomavirus infection), Pap tests and mammograms.

• A Pap test (also called a Pap smear) looks for precancers that could become cervical cancer if not treated. Women should start this screening at age 21 and is recommended every 3 to 5 years.

• An HPV test checks for DNA or RNA of cells to see if women have a high-risk HPV infection that can cause cervical cancer.

An HPV test is recommended every 3 to 5 years.

• Mammogram is often a 2-D screening tool that uses X-rays to create images of the breast. For women with dense breast tissue, we offer a 3-D True Breast Tomosynthesis. It’s recommended that women of average risk for breast cancer start this screening at age 45 and receive an exam every 1 to 2 years.

A lot of women don’t know about HPV. Why is this particular test critical for all women, especially seniors?

Due to being slow-growing, cervical cancer can affect women of any age, even if they are no longer sexually active. Pap tests are very ingrained in women to receive, but HPV is the number one cause of cervical cancer, so if we aren’t doing that specific test it’s going to get missed until there are symptoms. HPV can take 10 to 20 years to develop.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Irregular spotting, light bleeding between periods, change in discharge, foul-smelling discharge. Anything irregular. It’s recommended women start this screening at age 25.

Why are you so interested in women’s health and why do you feel Women’s Wellness Connection is so important?

I want women to be empowered to ask for these screenings. Once we feel responsibility and empowerment over our bodies, that translates into every other aspect of our life.

The fact that cancer is on both sides of my family, and I didn’t know the signs and symptoms made me passionate about continuing to do these check-ups. I can do a self-breast exam, but it’s so much better to have a 2-D or 3-D exam for a baseline. It’s a few minutes of being uncomfortable, which is so much better than finding out you have cancer.

Your position helps women overcome hurdles that may arise when scheduling these screenings. What are some of those hurdles?

It could be financial; it could be help with travel, dependent care or language translation. It could be as basic as getting education on what the signs and symptoms are and what tests they should get. I can also provide emotional support if we do have an abnormal test or cancer diagnosis.

If an abnormal test occurs, does the program help cover follow-ups?

For those who qualify for our program, it pays for all of it. We will pay for all the appointments—pathology through diagnoses. If we get to the point of diagnosing cancer and you need help enrolling in insurance or navigating through the insurance you have, I can help with that.

How can people get in touch with you?

Don’t wait to address the elephant in the room. Schedule screenings for cervical and breast cancer today. To see how Rachel can help you, contact her at 970-252-2893 or email her at hercheckup@montrosehealth. com.

Rachel covers Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties, but Women’s Wellness Connection is offered statewide. Find a clinic nearest you at cdphe.colorado.gov/wwc

Rachel Jacques Women’s Health Navigator (970) 252-2893

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