New cervical cancer screening guidelines are now endorsed by the GNWT.
Cervical cancer starts in the cervix and is usually caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It can affect anyone with a cervix who has had sexual contact. Now, the territorial government says it has updated testing methods.
"This switch to HPV testing enables earlier detection of those high-risk strains of HPV, before cells have had a chance to change," the Department of Health and Social Services explained in an announcement on Tuesday. "Previously, PAP tests looked for abnormal cells that had already changed because of HPV, but did not routinely test for HPV itself."
HPV is an infection that can cause cancer but not all HPV strains do. The department explained that those who test positive for high-risk HPV strains will be referred to colposcopy 鈥� a procedure where a healthcare provider uses a specialized instrument internally to check for abnormal tissue.
"Those who show other high-risk HPV strains will be followed up with a PAP test (if they are otherwise healthy individuals) or referred directly to colposcopy (if they are immunocompromised)," the territorial government adds
The new guidelines also recommend that screening should:
-begin at age 25 for asymptomatic women and people with a cervix;
-continue every three years; and
-stop at age 69 for average-risk women and people with a cervix (age 74 in those who are immunocompromised).
The health department notes that cervical cancer is the fourth-most common form of the disease among women.
Anyone looking for more information on cancer screening, vaccines and HPV can call 811.
