CANADA — January marked Cervical Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to raise awareness about a concerning health crisis: cervical cancer is now the fastest-increasing cancer among people with cervixes in Canada. After three decades of decline, the incidence rate has been rising by an alarming 3.7% per year since 2015, according to the November 2023 Canadian Cancer Society statistics. This marks the first significant increase since 1984 and highlights the urgent need for increased education, screening, and advocacy.
Danika Kelly, Vice-Chair of Canada West for the Women’s Health Coalition (WHC), is a leader in the fight for health equity. She has spent over 15 years addressing gender data gaps and advancing healthcare innovations globally. Kelly underscores that while multiple factors may be contributing to the rise in cervical cancer rates, a major issue is a lack of education and access to healthcare.
“There are likely a confluence of factors contributing to changes in screening rates in the Canadian population, and so it’s hard to assign ‘cause’ to any one of them,” Kelly explains. “However, factors such as a dearth in awareness and regular education on matters surrounding health, changing demographics in Canada, and challenges with medical accessibility across the country all play a role.”
A lack of awareness about cervical health
Many people with cervixes remain unaware of the critical role the cervix plays in reproductive health and the screening methods available to them. This lack of knowledge can lead to delayed or missed screenings, increasing the risk of developing cervical cancer.
“You know, I’m genuinely not sure that people are educated on the role of the cervix from a functional perspective,” Kelly says. “Most people know that it’s a body part, even one associated with reproductive anatomy, but its function and health aren’t things that take up a lot of space in the public psyche.”
Kelly notes that even when cervical health is discussed, it is often framed vaguely. “The topic of cervical screening isn’t really something that comes up explicitly in my own healthcare experience. Typically, it’s brought up as ‘When was your last Pap?’ rather than ‘When was your most recent cervical screening?’ Because of this euphemistic language, many people don’t fully understand the steps they’ve taken to secure their cervical health.”
Screening options and their importance
Cervical screening can be life-saving, detecting precancerous changes before they develop into cancer. There are several screening options available:
Pap Test – The industry standard, conducted through a comprehensive in-office gynecological exam to identify precancerous and cancerous lesions.
HPV Primary Test – Available in some provinces, this test detects the virus responsible for nearly 99% of cervical cancers and is conducted similarly to a Pap test.
At-Home HPV Vaginal Swabs – A more accessible option for some, but less sensitive than in-office testing. Individuals using at-home tests may still require follow-up in a clinical setting if results indicate risk factors.
Kelly emphasizes the importance of in-office exams: “When testing at home, not only are you not engaging on wider topics of health, but you’re also not having the proper cells collected. If an at-home test returns a positive HPV result, the patient will still need an in-office exam to collect a cervical sample for further investigation.”
Addressing barriers to cervical health care
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted screening rates, and while efforts have been made to recover, there are limits to how much catch-up the healthcare system can achieve. Additionally, significant disparities in healthcare access continue to impact marginalized communities.
“Factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and cultural background all have an incredible impact on people’s ability to receive timely cervical screenings,” Kelly states. “Traditionally underrepresented and underserved populations continue to be some of the most affected.”
According to Statistics Canada, only 59 percent of people with cervixes aged 21-69 have had a Pap test within the recommended timeframe. To improve cervical health outcomes, Kelly argues for a systemic shift in how society prioritizes healthcare access and education.“I do think there is a nuanced response that combines a cultural shift in how we talk about cervical health, a societal shift in how we prioritize access to care, and a systemic shift in where we allocate power, knowledge, and responsibility. “The most powerful thing we can do, independent of systemic change, is raise awareness so that anyone with a cervix knows their options and can advocate for themselves armed with the most up-to-date information available.”
Empowering individuals to take charge of their health
For those hesitant to advocate for their health, Kelly offers a simple starting point: “The first thing we want to do is remind you that you may have a cervix! (After all, who goes around just thinking about cervixes?). If you realize you’re not confident in your cervical health status, this is a great time to inform yourself of your options, speak with your doctor, and create a plan for regular care.”
The Women’s Health Coalition offers several resources, including their HPV Report, which provides essential insights into cervical cancer prevention, and recorded webinars featuring experts in the field. They also host campaigns advocating for increased accessibility to screening options, including at-home and in-office tests.
The rising rates of cervical cancer demand urgent action. Awareness, education, and access to screening are essential to reversing this trend. Organizations like the Women’s Health Coalition are working to close the gaps, but individual advocacy and informed decision-making are equally critical.
“Cervical cancer rates being on the rise—an average of 3.7% per year since 2015—is a tragedy,” Kelly concludes. “It’s why we’ve doubled down on campaigns like this to raise awareness and ensure people know their options. This is a very preventable cancer, and together, we can stop this tragic increase.”
For more information and resources, visit the Women’s Health Coalition website or follow their social media channels to stay updated on future initiatives: https://thewhc.ca/
