A pilot project focused on preventing HPV and cervical cancer is pushing forward after being interrupted by a country wide postal strike this fall and even as it continues to face interruptions amid the rolling strike.
The project is being introduced via a phased approach community-by-community across the region, recently beginning inSachs Harbour, Tsiigehtchic, Paulatuk, and Tuktoyaktuk, and launching in Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, and Ulukhaktok within the next three months.
The program is grounded in prevention and access, the cervical screening initiative gives people access to HPV self-sampling tests. According to health experts, HPV is a vaccine-preventable infection that can lead to cancer, which is where the HPV screening comes in. Anyone who would like more information can reach out to the health authority or visit the cervical screening info webpage
According to the health authority, the self-sampling mail-out pilot project is expected to be available to all communities in the Beaufort Delta by March.
The health authority advised that according to the data collected and analyzed by the Canadian Cancer Society, progress to “eliminate” cervical cancer by 2040 has “plateaued.”
“Recognizing the importance of screening and prevention, NTHSSA staff hosted two events in Inuvik to raise awareness of cervical cancer and support the distribution of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling mail-out pilot project that launched earlier this fall and continues to roll out to all communities in the Beaufort Delta region,” said health officials.
“Staff were on site to share resources and answer questions related to HPV vaccinations, cervical screening, and the self-sampling kits that will be mailed out to eligible individuals in Inuvik in the next month,” added health officials.
The health authority said tha anyone who would like more information about HPV, cervical cancer, or screening information, can visit NTHSSA – Cervical Cancer Screening.
