YAROSLAVSKY ANNOUNCES FREE CERVICAL CANCER EXAMINATIONS IN JANUARY 2000

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky announced today that the Board has approved Cervical Cancer Best Practices pilot projects to be conducted next month, in January 2000, at health facilities in the five supervisorial districts.

Sites in the Third District include the Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center and San Fernando Health Center. In addition, the Board approved no-cost screenings at facilities Countywide on the last three Fridays in January for low-income women who have not had a Pap test in the past 3 years. The pilot programs will become operational Monday, January 3rd. Additional information regarding appointments will be available on December 13th.

"Everyone knows someone who has been affected by some kind of cancer," Yaroslavsky said, "but routine Pap testing can stop this one, at least."

The Board officially declared January 2000 as "Cervical Cancer Awareness Month" to help increase awareness that cervical cancer is preventable through Pap smears, which can detect abnormal lesions before they become cancerous. Los Angeles County cervical cancer incidence rates range up to three times higher than national rates.