HOBART – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that women ages 21 and older receive regular Pap tests, as the screening can detect precancerous changes in the cervix which may lead to cervical cancer. To help provide this important screening for women in the community, St Mary Medical Center presents Inaugural Pap-A-Thon.  The event will provide free examinations and clinical breast exams. The Pap-A-Thon will be 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Valparaiso Health Center located at 3800 St. Mary Drive in Valparaiso.

“Early detection and treatment has contributed to a more than 70 percent decline in cervical cancer death rates over the past 20 years,” says Roxy Karnes, BSN, OCN, CCRP, CN-BN, cancer care service coordinator at St. Mary Medical Center. “That’s why it is so important for women to get these screenings on a regular basis. The Pap-a-Thon allows us to assist these women in getting screened, especially those with minimal or no insurance to cover testing costs.”

Limited appointments are available and pre-registration is required. To make an appointment, contact Roxy Karnes and 219-947-6060. For more information on services at St. Mary Medical Center, visit comhs.org/stmary.