CLEARLAKE, Calif. – It’s not often you walk into a doctor’s office to find a party with cupcakes, sparkling beverages and an atmosphere of celebration.

That has been the case every Friday at the St. Helena Family Health Center-Clearlake during the month of January.

Tracy Hazelton, FNP, and the team at the clinic on Lakeshore Drive are passionate about educating women on the importance of pap screening exams.

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month and all women who get a pap screening tests, they have thrown a party every Friday this month.

“The feedback from patients has been great,” Hazelton said. “The patients loved the treats and are glad they came in. It’s been a real feel-good experience.”

For Hazelton, the parties are about more than cupcakes and sparkling beverages. She sees them as a celebration of good health.

Her passion for cervical health awareness comes from a personal connection. Her cousin died at age 35 from metastatic cervical cancer, leaving behind three children.

Hazelton shares the story with women to encourage them to get a screening. “When cervical cancer is found early, in most cases, it can be treated very effectively,” she said.

Pap tests are proven to be the best tool to detect precancerous conditions and cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer and are recommended every three years for most women.

Women needing a pap test are invited to schedule an appointment. Call the St. Helena Family Health Center-Clearlake at 707-995-1362. Pap tests also can be scheduled through your primary care provider.