Ramsey said the high rates of cervical cancer on island gave birth to the Wise Women Village Project, an outreach and preventive health program designed to increase health awareness among women in the CNMI.
“Women 21-29 years old should submit themselves to a routine screening or Pap smear every two years,” the project’s medical director said.
For women 30 years and older who have had three consecutive normal screening results, they can have a Pap test every three years.
Ramsey said a Pap smear or test involves getting samples of cells from a woman’s cervix.
“Early detection is the best tool to combat cervical cancer. If women have their test early, cancer can be detected early and can be cured early,” he said.
“If the women cannot visit the hospital or private clinics for their Pap smear and other check-ups, we will come to them instead,” Ramsey added.
The Wise Women Village Project also offers free health screening to women.
January has been designated as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
