P.E.I. to replace pap tests with HPV tests — but COVID is delaying the switch – CBC

Health P.E.I. CEO hopeful the swap will be made before the end of 2022

Jan 19, 202

Changes are coming to cervical cancer screening for Island women, with a move from the traditional pap smear to HPV testing — but it’s being delayed because of COVID-19.

The newer type of HPV test detects precancerous cells through a DNA analysis of a cervical swab, as opposed to analyzing changes in cells. It’s something Health P.E.I. had hoped to rollout early in 2022. But officials say it’s been hard to plan for changes at the provincial lab when it’s already so busy processing COVID-19 tests.

“The HPV screening is very analogous to the screening we’re doing for COVID using PCR right now,” said Dr. Michael Gardam, CEO of Health P.E.I.

“Essentially you get specimens in, those specimens are then run through the machine, and you get a result at the end of it. And so it’s a much more efficient way of doing the screening. But the added bonus, of course, is that it’s also much more accurate. You’re getting a much more detailed look of what’s actually going on.”

P.E.I. to replace pap tests with HPV tests — but COVID is delaying the switch – CBC

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