Free pap smears at 155 GP clinics islandwide

Over 150 General Practitioner (GP) clinics are offering free pap smears to women from May 4 to July 31 as part of Singapore Cancer Society's (SCS) campaign to increase awareness of gynaecological cancers.

Gynaecological cancer refers to any cancer of a woman's reproductive organs. The uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers are among the top ten cancers diagnosed in women in Singapore.

SCS said that cervical cancer is highly preventable and curable when detected and treated early through regular screening such as pap smears.

A pap smear involves the collection and examination of cells from a woman's cervix and vagina to detect signs of cancer, according to Mayo Clinic, a US nonprofit medical research group.

Women aged between 25 and 69 who are or have been sexually active and have not had a pap smear screening in the last three years are strongly encouraged to sign up for the screening.

Dr Timothy Lim, SCS Chairman of Women's Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Campaign 2015, and Head and Senior Consultant from the department of Gynaecological Oncology at KK Women's and Children's Hospital said: "We hope more women will come forward to find out more, to be better informed and seek medical help early."

Singer and radio DJ Daphne Khoo will also share her experience of overcoming ovarian cancer in a video produced by SCS.

The free pap smears are available to all female Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. For a list of participating clinics, click here.

minlee@sph.com.sg