Cervical cancer is rapidly becoming a pressing health concern in Canada, with experts labelling it the “fastest-rising form of cancer” in the nation. During a recent press briefing in Ottawa, members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada underscored the critical need for enhanced government action to combat this growing threat. Despite the federal government’s commitment in July 2025 to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2040, advocates argue that immediate changes are necessary to prevent further tragedies.
Alarming Statistics Highlight the Crisis
Dr. Shannon Salvador, president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada, painted a stark picture of the situation, revealing that approximately 1,650 Canadians were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2025, and around 430 would succumb to the disease—numbers that she described as “avoidable.”
She emphasised that Canada has relied heavily on traditional Pap tests for cervical cancer screening and highlighted a concerning stagnation in the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is crucial for preventing HPV-related cervical cancer. “The current national HPV vaccination completion rate stands at a mere 64 per cent,” Dr. Salvador lamented, declaring this figure to be not just a medical disappointment but a significant policy failure.
The Need for a New Approach to Screening
In response to the escalating crisis, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada is advocating for a substantial shift towards HPV DNA testing for cervical cancer screening, as well as the introduction of self-collection kits for HPV testing. These kits would empower individuals to collect samples in the comfort of their homes, thus removing barriers such as travel difficulties, historical trauma, and lack of access to family physicians.
The Canadian Cancer Society supports this approach, noting that self-administered testing could be performed using a simple swab collected from the vagina. This method could significantly enhance accessibility, particularly for those in rural, Indigenous, and underserved communities who have historically faced systemic barriers in healthcare.
Addressing Inequities in Cervical Cancer Outcomes
Dr. Sarah Kean, who leads the cervical cancer programme in Manitoba, pointed out the glaring disparities in health outcomes, particularly for Indigenous women who are diagnosed at higher rates and often experience more advanced stages of the disease. “This is not due to biology,” she asserted, but rather the result of various factors including limited access to screening resources, geographic isolation, and systemic inequalities within the healthcare system.
Kean has called for a comprehensive and accessible HPV screening strategy across the country, emphasising that this must entail more than merely updating guidelines. “Robust HPV screening must include universal access to primary HPV testing across all provinces and territories with clearly defined national standards,” she insisted.
The Financial Burden of Inaction
The financial implications of cervical cancer are significant. Dr. Salvador revealed that the cost of treating cervical cancer to the Canadian healthcare system was approximately $132 million in 2024, while screening eligible Canadians would cost around $106 million over a five-year span. These figures underscore the need for proactive measures to prevent the disease rather than reactive expenditures on treatment.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s report from November 2025 highlights a troubling stagnation in progress toward eliminating cervical cancer. Despite the World Health Organization’s global strategy launched five years earlier, cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death among women, with projections suggesting that 1,600 women in Canada would be diagnosed in 2024, and 400 would die from the disease.
Why it Matters
The escalating rates of cervical cancer in Canada serve as a wake-up call for systemic reform in the nation’s public health policies. It is essential for the government to prioritise innovative screening methods and expand vaccination efforts, particularly in communities that have historically been overlooked. With cervical cancer being one of the most preventable cancers, the need for urgent action is not just a matter of health policy; it is a moral obligation to ensure that all Canadians have equitable access to lifesaving healthcare resources.
