New Cervical Cancer Screening Program Launches in Quebec

A new cervical cancer screening program is set to be implemented in Quebec, aiming to improve early detection and treatment options for women at risk. This initiative comes in the wake of personal experiences like that of Jennifer Curran, who faced the dual challenge of becoming a mother while battling cervical cancer. During her pregnancy, Curran received the shocking diagnosis and underwent surgery to remove the cancer concurrently with her cesarean section.

Curran had experienced no symptoms prior to her diagnosis, but the cancer was advanced enough to necessitate radiation and chemotherapy. “I didn’t get a chance to linger in being sad for myself because I had this little baby to take care of,” Curran reflected on her journey.

Cervical cancer is primarily linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), with most cases occurring in women under 50 years of age. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, approximately 430 Canadians die from cervical cancer annually. Although the HPV vaccine is an effective preventive measure, it was not available when Curran was in school, leaving her vulnerable to this life-threatening disease.

Advancements in Screening Technology

Traditionally, pap tests have been the primary method for cervical cancer screening. However, recent research is pivoting towards HPV testing, which offers enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. Dr. Annie Leung, a gynecologic oncologist at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), is spearheading the development of a new HPV screening that can detect the virus before any cells become abnormal. This advancement could significantly reduce the need for invasive surgeries that can have profound implications on women’s future health.

Dr. Leung emphasized the potential benefits of self-testing, which would allow women to conduct swabs at home. This method aims to increase accessibility to screening, especially in northern and Indigenous communities where cervical cancer rates are notably high. “With new technology, we’re able to actually detect the virus itself,” Dr. Leung stated. “So before we even see abnormal cells, we are able to identify and detect the virus that causes those abnormal cells.”

Self-screening initiatives are already in place in British Columbia and Ontario, and Dr. Leung anticipates that similar programs will be available in Quebec by mid-2026.

Funding and Awareness Efforts

The MUHC Foundation is financially backing Dr. Leung’s research, committing to raise $5 million for studies focused on women’s health, which, according to Kim Cavener, who leads strategic giving at the foundation, is significantly underfunded. “Women’s health research receives only 7 percent of federal health research funding in Canada,” Cavener noted.

Curran is actively collaborating with the MUHC Foundation to raise awareness and funds for cervical cancer research. She hopes that sharing her story will inspire others to seek HPV testing, stating, “Had I had that test available to me at the time, my story could have been very, very different.”

Fortunately, Curran’s journey has a positive outcome. Her daughter is approaching her fifth birthday, and both mother and child are healthy and thriving. As Quebec prepares to roll out this innovative screening program, the hope is that many more women will receive early detection and better health outcomes in the fight against cervical cancer.