SANTA ANA : Free Health Exams Aimed at Latinas

Low-income women may receive free Pap smears and mammograms at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the city scheduled for the next three Saturdays.

The free Pap smears, offered for the ninth year by Planned Parenthood, are especially aimed at Latinas, who often receive little or no health care, agency officials said. The mammograms will be provided in a mobile unit nearby.

“Many Latina women may be undocumented and afraid,” said Planned Parenthood official Estela Martinez, explaining why Latinas frequently don’t get health care. “They tend to neglect their own health care for that of their children or husband.”

In previous years during the free Pap smears and exams, Planned Parenthood doctors and nurse practitioners have detected some serious conditions, including prolapsed, or failed, uteri, severe cases of sexually transmitted disease and indications of cancer, Martinez said. In those cases, the clinic has either provided treatment or referred women to doctors willing to accept uninsured patients.

Appointments may be made by calling (714) 973-1733. This Saturday, women will be examined from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the clinic at 1001 N. Broadway in Santa Ana. The Mexican-American Women’s National Assn. will provide translators for patients who do not speak English.