B.C. expands cervical screening with free at-home self-collection HPV test option
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابBC Cancer says its cervix screening program in British Columbia offers a self-screening option as an alternative for routine screening, using a simple swab to collect a vaginal sample for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, the virus linked to cervical cancer. The agency says the test is free and can be completed wherever people feel safe and comfortable, including at home or at a health-care provider’s office.
Program information notes B.C. is transitioning from Pap (cytology) to HPV testing as the primary screening method. For eligible women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 69, self-screening is generally recommended every five years, while some individuals may be directed to different follow-up pathways under program guidance.
BC Cancer says eligible people can request a kit online using the Kit Order Code included in their screening letter, use an online request form if they do not have a code, or order by phone at 1-877-702-6566. The kit typically arrives by mail in about two weeks in plain, unmarked packaging, according to the program.
The self-screening option is intended to reduce appointment and clinic-access barriers that can delay routine screening, particularly for those with privacy concerns, time constraints, or anxiety about clinician-performed exams. BC Cancer advises checking eligibility, requesting an official kit through program channels, and following the instructions closely to ensure an accurate sample and result.
Technical note
BC Cancer says the kit request portal may be temporarily unavailable at times due to scheduled maintenance.
