OHSU Women's Health Screening Events

A cervical and breast cancer effort from the OHSU Center for Women’s Health

The OHSU Center for Women's Health announces a series of events to promote women's health screenings with an emphasis on cervical cancer prevention. "Free Friday," "Screening Saturday" and other community screening events are part of a statewide initiative to eradicate cervical cancer mortality in Oregon and beyond.

• Schedule of women's health screening events
• Women's health screening program facts
• General cervical cancer facts
• Frequently asked questions
• Contact information
• Also see: Information and photos from the first event on November 16, 2007.

Schedule of Women's Health Screening Events

"Free Friday" - Nov. 16, 2007

The first community screening event was November 16.
Click here for information and photos from the November 16 event.

"Screening Saturday" - March 1, 2008

Click here for an article about Screening Saturday.

Additional Events

Quarterly Friday events are intended. For up-to-date facts and information, check back or call the Screening Event Hotline at 503 346-1212.

General Women's Health Screening Event Facts

• Where: OHSU Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
• Partners: The Center for Women's Health will be coordinating with other OHSU departments and institutes as well as community organizations for this endeavor.
• Patients served: Approximately 120-160 clinical screening appointments will be offered for each event. Those who make an appointment will receive a pap test, pelvic exam and a clinical breast exam. Under-served populations are encouraged to participate but there are NO financial or other prerequisites required. Women who are uninsured, underinsured and insured are all eligible.
• To make an appointment: Appointments for the next event are not yet available. For up-to-date announcements on when the next event will be, please check back and/or call 503 346-1212.
• Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for health fair. Please fill out the form below if you are interested in volunteering for this event.
• Donations: This event is made possible through generous community support. Please fill out the form below if you are interested in donating for this effort. You can donate online at http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/about/foundation/ci_womens.cfm.
• Contact: For up-to-date facts and information, call the Screening Event Hotline at 503 346-1212.

General Cervical Cancer Facts

• Two women per week are diagnosed with cervical cancer; in Oregon one woman per week dies of cervical cancer.
• The mortality rate for cervical cancer is increasing in Oregon, even as it decreases nationally.
• A Pap test can find cervical cancer before a woman knows she has it. Found early enough, cervical cancer is nearly 100% treatable.
• According to Making the Grade on Women’s Health, the national women’s health report card co-authored by OHSU physician and researcher Michelle Berlin, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon ranks 42 out of 50 in terms of the percentage of women in who undergo routine Pap screening.
• Cervical cancer mortality could be virtually eradicated in Oregon through widespread use of two techniques: regular Pap tests for early detection and the use of vaccines.
• The FDA recently approved a vaccine against human papilloma virus, or HPV. The HPV virus is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. The vaccine also offers some protection for women against vulvar and vaginal cancers. See more information here.
• Click here for related services at OHSU and links to cervical health resources online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I schedule an appointment for the next community screening event?

Keep checking our website for updates on future free screening events and for more information on the OHSU Center for Women's Health and the OHSU Cancer Institute's fight to eliminate cervical cancer in Oregon. Our community screening phone line, 503 346-1212, will also be updated with the latest information. To make an appointment for Screening Saturday on March 1, please call 503 346-1212 on or after February 14, 2008.

I heard about Free Fridays, but the slots had been filled by the time I called to schedule an appointment. How come more spots were not available?

Our community screening program is generously made possible through monetary donations by community women and time donations by OHSU staff, students and volunteers. While we're very pleased to be able to offer 130 free screenings at our first event - due to generous monetary donations and the effort of 120 volunteers - we recognize that there is a great need for more free screening efforts in Oregon. The OHSU Center for Women's Health and the OHSU Cancer Institute will continue to provide as many free screenings as funding and time constraints permit.

We encourage Oregonians to take up the cause of health screenings, either by donating money or time to future screening events. To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities, please visit www.ohsuwomenshealth.com. To inquire about starting a similar event in your community or neighborhood, please contact Sandra Assasnik at 503 494-1295.

If I don't have an appointment, what services are available for walk-ins?

A health fair will also be present at the free screening event, focusing on additional health screenings - such as depression, total cholesterol, non-fasting glucose, body mass index, and hip-waist ratio - and health information pertinent to women throughout many life stages. If space and time permits, walk-ins may also receive pap and clinical breast screenings.

Why are the OHSU Center for Women's Health and the OHSU Cancer Institute providing these services for the community?

OHSU is committed to ensuring a healthier future for all Oregonians. As the only academic medical institution in Oregon, we feel it is our responsibility to lead innovative actions designed to not only treat individuals, but also to inspire community members to participate in the creation of a healthier Oregon. As the only Northwest institution designated as a Center of Excellence in Women's Health, the OHSU Center for Women's Health is committed to being a national leader in women's health research, clinical care, education and outreach.

This event is being offered to promote regular health screenings for women and to provide screening access to women who typically forgo annual breast and cervical screenings. Many breast and cervical cancers outcomes are greatly improved when the cancers are detected early - cervical cancers are virtually treatable when detected soon enough.

This program has been made possible through a partnership with women of our community who raised the funds to begin the program, the support of the OHSU Cancer Institute and volunteers from numerous OHSU departments.

More information about community screening events and the campaign for cervical prevention with the Oregon Cancer Institute and the Center for Women’s Health will be available soon. 

Volunteer for Community Screening Events

In order to provide free screenings for these events, volunteers are needed for every aspect of providing service. We appreciate your flexibility willingness to donate your time to making this event possible.

To register as a volunteer, please fill out this online form as completely as possible.

Confirmation, volunteer assignments and additional details will be provided to volunteers closer to the event.

Contact Us About Community Screening Events

• Appointments for the next event are not yet available. Please check back for information about that event or call the Screening Event Hotline at 503 346-1212 for up-to-date information.
• Anyone interested in volunteering can register as a volunteer online.
• For press inquiries, please contact Brycie Jones at 503 494-8231 and click here for the online press release.
• To donate to the cause or make any general inquiry, please use the form below.