Redefining Cervical Cancer Screening with HPV At-home Test Kits

Advances in cervical cancer screening technology make it possible to self-collect sample for HPV testing at home, which could help in early detection of cervical cancer.

Seventy per cent of sexually active Canadians will be infected with Human papillomavirus (HPV) during their lifetime.1

While most people clear the virus, about 10 to 20 per cent will have persistent HPV.2 Persistent HPV infection of the cervix, if left untreated, causes 95 per cent of cervical cancers.3

But most people don’t even know they have HPV, which is why cervical screening is so important.

While a Pap test looks for abnormal changes in cervical cells, the HPV test looks for the virus, which could later cause cell changes in the cervix.

Game-changer in HPV testing accessibility

Lifelabs, Canada’s leading medical laboratory, is launching the Lifelabs HPV At-home Collection Kit, which allows individuals to collect their sample from the comfort and privacy of their home. This increases access to testing for people who are unable to take off work for a medical appointment, who do not have a primary healthcare provider, or who have cultural beliefs around modesty, language barriers, or discomfort with Pap tests.

Making the process easier and improving earlier detection can lead to better outcomes. “HPV testing and HPV immunization have been valuable innovations in the prevention, early detection, and management of the precursors of cervical cancers,” says Dr. Nathan Roth of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. “The results of HPV testing help determine what steps should be taken and what treatments to give to prevent cervical cancer from occurring.”∎

SOURCES

1 Canadian Cancer Society, Human papillomavirus. Accessed Jan. 22, 2024. (Page 1, A, Page 2 B)

2 Shanmugasundaram, Srinidhi and You, Jianxin. Targeting Persistent Human Papillomavirus Infection, Viruses. August 2017 (Page 1 C)

3 World Health Organization, Cervical cancer. Accessed Jan. 22, 2024 (Page 2 E)

Learn more and sign up for early access at Lifelabs.com/hpv-testing

This article is sponsored by Lifelabs.

Beigene Canada is challenging the status quo of the traditional biopharmaceutical industry. As the Canadian arm of global biotech firm Beigene Inc., this company of Canadians is making a distinct mark by focusing on ensuring affordable access to innovative oncology drugs.

Beigene entered Canada in 2021, and its impact has been swift. Health Canada’s authorization of Beigene’s BTK inhibitor drug for five blood cancers within the last three years stands out significantly. This underscores the company’s entry in the Canadian cancer community and its commitment to addressing the diverse needs of cancer patients. Beigene plans to bring more cancer drugs to Canada and is actively reshaping cancer care accessibility.

Beigene believes in universal access to life-changing medicines for as many people as possible. Emphasizing the principle of “patients first,” Beigene develops high-quality, novel therapies to help cancer patients everywhere, in every country, going beyond geographical boundaries. This is a major investment, but Beigene knows that newer, better, and safer drugs only help when patients can readily access them. This perspective fuels the company's collaborations with global cancer communities, providing support to patients, clinicians, caregivers, and families in the collective battle against cancer.

Beigene’s mission extends beyond drug development. The Beigene Canada Fund for Research and Innovation was introduced last year to support and enhance research and ingenuity. The initiative was designed to overcome current challenges and breathe life into new ideas that could improve cancer care in a meaningful way.

Beigene also recognizes that a patient’s mental well-being is integral to achieving quality cancer care. As a company, it’s dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging thoughtful conversations, and contributing resources so that all those impacted by cancer have the tools they need on their journey to wellness.

While Beigene is still a newcomer in comparison to drug industry stalwarts, its approach signals a sense of urgency in engaging the health care community and all stakeholders. Beigene wants to drive the change that’s needed. As a disruptor, Beigene is not merely contributing to the conversation — it’s out to reshape the narrative, offering hope and injecting innovation into the fight against cancer.∎

For more information, visit beigene.ca

This article is supported by Beigene Canada.