Women no longer have to travel to Auburn for a colposcopy.
NORWAY – A specialized procedure for women who’ve received abnormal pap test results is being offered by the local Tri County Health Services office.

A colposcopy gives clinicians a closer look at cervical cells and a chance to biopsy the cells if necessary, according to Tri County. It’s seen as a valuable tool in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and of abnormalities that can develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

Until now, women visiting Tri County’s offices in Norway and Rumford had to travel to the service’s Auburn office for a colposcopy.

“Needing this procedure can be stressful enough for our clients without having to travel to Auburn for it,” said Deb Gray, Tri County’s Norway manager. “Our clients are more comfortable having this procedure in familiar surroundings, and we wanted to make allowances for that so we’re making colposcopy available in Norway for our Oxford County clients.

Kathy Coleman, a nurse practitioner at the Auburn office, will visit Norway once a month to provide the service.

Tri County Health Services offers a sliding fee scale for clients without insurance coverage and also accepts MaineCare and most other insurances. It’s a provider in the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, which offers free mammograms and clinical breast exams for women 40 and over who qualify. For more information, people can call 743-2006 or 1-800-524-8066.