A pilot project will look into take-home kits for cervical cancer screening. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko

Alberta testing take-home kits to screen for cervical cancer

Sep 26, 2024 | 2:39 PM

Officials look to make it easier for Albertans to detect the early signs of cervical cancer.

The Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Precision Labs have launched a pilot project that will look at an innovative new way to screen for the condition.

Around 300 eligible participants in the Edmonton area will take part in the first round of testing of a cervix self-screening test, but as many as 5,000 kits will be collected over the duration of the pilot.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says this initiative will ensure people can start treatment as early as possible.

“We know cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with routine immunization and regular screening, which is why this pilot project is so important. This represents a vital next step towards eliminating cervical cancer altogether,” says LaGrange.

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The take-home kits are said to be more predictive than routine pap testing. It detects high-risk strains of HPV, identifying those who are at-risk for developing abnormal cervical cells that can lead to cancer.

AHS Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr. Laura McDougall says the test kits contain the supplies needed for people to test themselves at home. The kits are then sent to a lab for analysis.

“Self-sampling allows the person to collect their own sample in a location that feels safe and comfortable. HPV self-sampling looks for the virus that causes cervical cancer. If found early, it can be treated so cervical cancer does not develop,” says McDougall.

In Alberta, 170 people people are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 45 people die.

The pilot project is meant to allow officials to develop effective and sustainable HPV self-sampling strategies that will enable a province-wide rollout.