'Too many women are dying from cervical cancer'- Dr Arliene T. Penn
Dr Penn is launching her “A SIMPLE SWAB” Campaign under WINBVI in 2025, encouraging women to prioritise their health by undergoing regular screenings. The campaign's motto, “SWAB means Screen With Awareness and Bravery,” aims to change perceptions surrounding the screening process.
From January 15 to 31, 2025, eligible women can register for free cervical cancer screenings throughout February.
Complimentary consultations will be provided by participating clinics: Eureka Medical Clinic, Penn Medical Centre, The Wellness Center Clinics, and B&F Medical Complex.
According to WINBVI in a press release on January 8, 2025, there is no co-pay with National Health Insurance (NHI). Appointments will be scheduled from February 1 to 28.
The campaign is targeting women aged 21-29 who are sexually active and have never had a Pap test and women aged 21-65 who are sexually active and haven't had a Pap test in the last three years.
Too many women are dying from cervical cancer- Dr Penn
“I want to ensure that I do my part to help this cause. Too many women are dying from cervical cancer, and it is highly preventable. While we have no cancer registry in the BVI as yet, the importance of regular screenings cannot be overstated. It’s crucial for women to remain in preventive mode. Gyneacological check-ups and screenings can detect changes before they become cancerous. We want to be proactive and not reactive,” Dr Penn stated in the press release from WINBVI.
Driven by her personal experience with cervical cancer, Dr Penn dedicates her efforts to educating women across the Virgin Islands and beyond about this critical reproductive health issue.
Dr Penn's journey began with a free Pap smear screening that identified her risk for cervical cancer, leading to necessary treatments. Since then, she has championed initiatives focused on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), hysterectomies, and cervical cancer awareness. She continues to assist various regional governments, foundations, and cancer societies globally in creating communication strategies to encourage women to pay attention to their bodies.
She also encourages men to advocate for their mothers, wives, aunts, and significant others by urging them to get screened.
A global call to action
Cervical cancer remains a significant threat, with nearly 700,000 new cases expected by 2030 and over 400,000 deaths annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation. In the Americas, cervical cancer claims over 35,000 lives each year, with 80% of those occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States also recognises the growing concern of cervical cancer across the region. The WHO has made a global call to action for each country to meet targets by 2030 to get on the path to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem within the next century.
For more information and to register, contact WINBVI at 440-4122.
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11 Responses to “'Too many women are dying from cervical cancer'- Dr Arliene T. Penn ”
I know a lady who don’t go no where and her husband who sleeps around gave her hpv and the type high risk that cause cervical cancers