September 9, 2015 — More than 50 women in need received free cervical and breast cancer screenings with same-day results as part of a recent See, Test & Treat program and health fair at Loyola University Medical Center. Funded by a grant from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Foundation, this was the first See, Test & Treat program offered in Illinois.
“Many of the women we cared for had not had a Pap test or mammogram in more than 20 years, and thanks to the generous funding by the CAP Foundation, were able to receive care,” said Loyola Chair of Pathology Eva M. Wojcik, M.D., FCAP. “Seeing those signs of relief on the faces of women who were told their screenings came back normal was priceless.”
Wojcik led a team of more than 35 Loyola physicians and medical personnel for the cancer screenings. Women between the ages of 30 and 64 with Medicaid or who were uninsured qualified for the event.
The screening included a pelvic exam, a Pap test with same-day results, an HPV test, a breast exam and screening mammography, if appropriate. Displays and educational materials were also available to help women better understand their unique health needs. Financial and medical specialists were onsite to interact with participants, answer questions and provide information.
Through pathologists at select institutions around the United States, the See, Test & Treat program has provided free cervical and breast cancer screenings to thousands of women. The program is funded by donations to the CAP Foundation. The CAP Foundation plans to expand See, Test & Treat so that more pathologists can collaborate with their clinical colleagues to coordinate care teams and provide essential screening services to more vulnerable women across the country.
The Loyola University Medical Center event was also supported by Hologic Inc., the Community Memorial Foundation, the Coleman Foundation and Quest Diagnostics.
For more information: www.cap.org