For many patients, cervical cancer screening can feel overwhelming. Traditional Pap tests are invasive, uncomfortable, and for some, retraumatizing. At InterCommunity Health Care, this challenge is especially real for the people we serve—individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, histories of trauma, or those navigating gender dysphoria. Too often, these barriers keep patients from getting preventive care that could save their lives.

That’s why InterCommunity has introduced a groundbreaking, patient-centered solution: self-swabs for cervical cancer screening. Recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), self-swabs give patients more control, privacy, and dignity in the screening process.

“This is about more than medicine—it’s about creating an environment where every patient feels respected and empowered,” said Dr. Chad McDonald, InterCommunity’s Chief Medical Officer. “By offering trauma-informed care rooted in compassion and dignity, we reduce stigma and anxiety, and open the door for more patients to say yes to prevention.”

In 2024, cervical cancer screening rates among eligible female patients at InterCommunity rose significantly with the use of Pap testing alone. With the addition of self-swabs, those numbers are expected to increase—bringing lifesaving screenings to patients who might otherwise go without.

For InterCommunity, self-swabs are not just a tool—they’re a symbol of our commitment to hig- quality health accessibility. By prioritizing comfort, dignity, and choice, we are breaking down barriers and making preventive care accessible for everyone in our community.

Together, we’re paving the way for a healthier future.