Cervical cancer rates highest in NS

Health officials are targeting teenaged girls in their latest effort to lower rates of cervical cancer in Nova Scotia.

New figures released Friday show that women in the province still have the highest rate of cervical cancer in the country.

• Cancer Care Nova Scotia - The latest statistics

Doctors hope to lower rates by providing all female students in Grade 9 with a kit explaining the importance of Pap tests.

"Education is essential in our fight against cervical cancer," says Rob Grimshaw, medical director of the gynecological cancer screening program. "We need to reach out to young people, communicate the risk factors and emphasize that a regular Pap test is the best defence in preventing cervical cancer."

The three-lesson kit focuses on three areas of cervical health: understanding the risks, the Pap test and Pap test results. The kit includes resource materials such as overheads, handouts, lists of frequently asked questions, a glossary of terms and sample Pap test instruments.

Doctors say more woman are having yearly exams, but they say the numbers still fall short.