Goodbye, Pap. Hello, Swab! BC Cervix Screening transitions to HPV Self-Screening

You may already be aware that women aged 25 to 69 need to be regularly screened for cervical cancer. Yet BC recently marked an exciting day as it launched its transition from a Pap test to HPV primary screening, which puts the power of cervix self-screening in your hands. A Cervix Self-Screening Kit allows anyone with a cervix to self-test in the privacy of their own home.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can spread through intimate contact. Most HPV infections are not cancerous and go unnoticed, as our bodies are usually able to clear the infection on their own. However, if not detected early on, some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer over several years. The new Cervix Self-Screening Kit is a new technology that detects cancer-causing types of HPV present in the vagina, hopefully, years before it can cause cancerous changes in the cervix.

The Pap test typically involves a doctor or a nurse who collects cells from the cervix during a Pap exam. These cells are then checked for any abnormal changes on the cervix from cancer-causing types of HPV. Normal Pap test results usually require retesting every 3 years, but with the high accuracy of the HPV test, a normal result would only require retesting every 5 years.

The Cervix Self-Screening Kit is a new tool that allows you to test yourself and oversee your own health, but should you have any symptoms that need medical follow-up, please see your Primary Care Provider before ordering a Cervix Self-Screening Kit.