Why provinces are making the switch to HPV testing instead of Pap tests

As some provinces begin at-home HPV testing, Nova Scotia hopes to do the same in the near future.

There is work underway to eliminate cervical cancer in Canada.

Traditionally, women have been screened through a Pap test, which can be uncomfortable but lifesaving.

“Almost all cervical cancer is caused by chronic infection with HPV (human papillomavirus), and what that means is that if you can control the virus, you can control the cancer,” said Dr. Craig Earle, the CEO of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

As such, many provinces have now made the switch to HPV tests rather than Pap tests. Some even offer at-home tests.

“Prince Edward Island was the first province in the country to start screening for HPV,” said Earle. “That can pick up the infection earlier than the Pap and actually prevent more cancers.”

Regular cervical screenings detect abnormal changes in the cells of someone’s cervix, which can help prevent cancer.

In Nova Scotia, the hope is to move toward HPV testing.

“I’d be optimistic if someone told me today that it was all a go-ahead, and it was going to be funded and everything. It would be from 12 to 18 months as far as I’m concerned,” said Dr. Robert Grimshaw, the medical director for Nova Scotia Health’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

Grimshaw said the province already has the equipment, there would just need to be some changes and training in order to make the switch.

Cervical cancer rates

Across Canada, there are around 1,650 cases of cervical cancer each year and 430 deaths.

A recent report revealed cervical cancer rates have plateaued, but there’s no clear answer as to why.

“At least since the 80s, cervical cancer has been decreasing very steadily, and in the latter part of the last decade, seemed to plateau and maybe even increase,” said Earle.

It’s a concern as there is a goal to eliminate the disease by 2040.

The action plan includes:

• Improving HPV vaccination rates
• Implementing primary screening
• Improving follow-up screening results

“That dramatically reduces their risk of getting and dying from cervical cancer. The secret to it is regular testing,” said Grimshaw.

HPV Tests

If Nova Scotia makes the switch to HPV tests, there is also a goal of including an at-home testing component.

It was announced in 2024 that the hope was to roll out at-home tests within two years, making testing more accessible to those without primary care providers or who live in more remote areas.

“Government is focused on improving access to healthcare for Nova Scotians, including home cancer screening programs. We are aware of efforts in other jurisdictions and are gathering information and exploring options about how we could advance cervical cancer screening in Nova Scotia,” said Nova Scotia’s Health and Wellness Department in a statement to CTV News.

Any concrete timelines are still unclear.

Currently in Nova Scotia, it is recommended that anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 70 get a Pap test every three years.

Both Grimshaw and Earle said immunization against HPV can also greatly improve outcomes.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page