In February 2024, British Columbia allowed women to test for human papillomavirus (HPV) at home. The self-collection kit offered by the provincial government is an alternative to the traditional Pap test. Dr. Diane Francoeur, executive director of the Society of Obstetricians-Gynecologists of Canada, provides an update on this initiative after two years.
I think the response from women is good, but changing your habits always takes time. When we dig deeper, we realize that there are many women who have had physical and sexual trauma or who have had gynecological procedures without analgesia, without sedation. There are horror stories. So we need to clearly demonstrate that this will stop. And to seriously talk about eliminating cervical cancer, we must be able to reach all women, those from remote regions, newcomers and First Nations women.
explains Dr. Diane Francoeur.
