Image Credit: Flickr / Province of B.C.

By Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon

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SOUND OFF: Expanding at-home screening for cervical cancer

Jan 17, 2024 | 10:30 AM

BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS BEEN A LEADER around the world in cervical cancer prevention for nearly 70 years, and working towards eliminating cervical cancer is a part of our government’s 10-year cancer plan.

For many years, the standard way to detect cervical cancer has been through a pap test. One thing that most people who have had to experience them can agree on, is that pap tests are uncomfortable. We also now know there is a more effective way to test for and prevent cervical cancer.

That’s why last week we announced that we’re becoming the first province or territory in Canada to offer a provincewide at-home cervix self-screening option, and one of the first provinces or territories to transition to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing as the main screening test for cervical cancer screening.

The HPV virus causes 99 per cent of cervical cancers, and so moving to HPV screening makes sense. This method has been proven to detect cervical pre-cancer earlier and better than traditional pap tests. Additionally, we know that there are more significant barriers that prevent people from getting their regular pap test and detecting cervical cancer early.

This announcement will make such a difference for people in rural communities, who may face obstacles like limited access to primary healthcare providers who provide screening tests, the need for transportation, child care, or booking time off from work to attend an appointment. Being able to do self-screening from home or in a local setting for someone living rurally could make the difference in detecting cervical cancer in a timely manner.

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Folks may have other challenges in accessing pap tests, such as cultural barriers or a history of trauma. We also know that some individuals are less likely than others to discuss reproductive health with a healthcare provider, and so self-screening can better connect them with the care they need. Self-screening also improves accessibility for people, including transgender and gender-diverse people, new Canadians and Indigenous people.

Starting January 29, women and individuals aged 25 to 69 with a cervix can order an at-home screening and have it delivered to their home.

The at-home self-screening option provides an increased opportunity for people to be proactive about their own health, and those who wish to can still seek testing from their doctor or nurse practitioner. The transition to HPV screening by a medical care provider will be phased in over the next three years by age group, starting with people 55 and older. This transition to the HPV test as the primary screening test for cervical cancer is part of B.C.’s 10-year Cancer Care Action Plan to better prevent, detect and treat cancers.

By expanding cervix self-screening provincewide, we’re going to make detecting cervical cancer more comfortable and more accessible for British Columbians and contribute to more equity in our healthcare system.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.