As of January 29th, 2024, the BC Cancer agency launched a program which enables women/people with cervix to self-screen for cervical cancer.

This new program applies to low risk individuals - most women qualify for this. If you receive a letter giving you the choice between a PAP test or HPV swab, then you know that you qualify for this new program and can choose the HPV swab as an option.

With a PAP, you would still have to book an appointment at the clinic and with the HPV swab, it can be sent to you.

The clinic also carries the HPV swabs but it is preferable that you order it yourself, if possible, to decrease our workload.

If you’ve had abnormal PAP results in recent years, an RN can assess if this is an option for you.
If any symptoms are present (pain, discharge, abnormal bleeding) or you want other STI testing, you would still need to book an appointment with a nurse or your doctor.

Your results can be found by signing in to your Health Gateway account at
https://www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/

If you are a regular patient of the Cortes Clinic, you can use Dr. Janet McKeown as your main care provider when you order the HPV swab and the Cortes Health Centre can be added as the follow-up clinic.

The Health Gateway website is also a great place to sign-up to view your lab results and imaging reports!

To find more information on this program and to order your HPV swab (if you've received the letter),
visit http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/cervix

Thanks,
Isabelle, RN and the Medical Team at the Cortes Health Centre