Women's Health Care Mobile Unit Schedule for September in Vallarta, Mascota & Talpa Efren Urrutia - AZ Noticias
go to original August 31, 2013

During the month of September, the Jalisco Secretary of Health, Region VIII, has announced the launch of the Mobile Unit for Women's Health Care in Puerto Vallarta, Mascota and Talpa.

The mobile unit will be visiting the town squares and invites the women of the community to take advantage of receiving three exams which are vital for women: Pap Cervical (PAP), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Mammograms.

The Pap smear is a test that looks for abnormal cells or changes in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The cellular changes in the cervix may develop and if undetected, can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can almost always be prevented by vaginal cervical smears that are very important.

The HPV test checks for the virus that can cause these cell changes on the cervix. It may be used to screen for cervical cancer, with the Pap test, in women aged 30 years and older. If both tests are negative, the risk for cervical cancer is very low. HPV tests also may be used to provide more information when a Pap test has unclear results.

The Mammogram is an x-ray study of the breast, in which you take a series of plates that are interpreted by a radiologist with specific training. Your doctor will tell you when and how often to perform this study, depending on your age and your risk factors. Clinical examination is useful for detecting strange formations (lumps), nipple discharge and generally any change in the inner and outer area of the breast that could cause the appearance of a cancerous tumor, but it is important to know that it is a tool with limitations. Before the doctor can detect a lump or "ball" it is necessary to be at least an inch in diameter. Smaller nodules are virtually impossible to detect by touch.

Service schedule for the Women's Mobile Care Unit:

• September 2 & 3 - Main square of El Pitillal
• September 4 - Mojoneras Colony
• September 5 - El Remance Colony
• September 9 - Main square Las Juntas
• September 10 - Downtown Health Center (Centro de Salud), Puerto Vallarta
• September 11 & 12 - Talpa de Allende
• September 16 - Ixtapa
• September 17 - Main square of Las Palmas
• September 18 - Main square El Progreso
• September 19 - Health Center of El Ranchito
• September 23 - Plaza of El Caloso
• September 24 - Port Authority
• September 25, 26 & 27 - Mascota
• September 30 - Downtown Health Center (Centro de Salud), Puerto Vallarta

Translated and edited by Team Angels