Last year, the Canadian Cancer Society projected that over 1,600 women in Canada could be diagnosed with cervical cancer, leading to an estimated 430 deaths. In light of these numbers, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is uniting for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January to emphasize the importance of women’s health in Quebec.
Jennifer Curan, a cervical cancer survivor and member of the LDC & women’s health committee at MUHC Foundation, shared her personal journey. Diagnosed with HPV 15 years ago, Curan later discovered she had cervical cancer during her pregnancy. Despite initial treatments, the cancer went undetected by regular PAP tests, highlighting the need for advanced screening methods.
Dr. Annie Leung, a gynecologic oncologist at the Research Institute MUHC, stressed the prevalence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in causing cervical cancer, urging the adoption of more accurate screening techniques. MUHC Foundation’s Kim Cavener highlighted the organization’s $5 million campaign to bridge the funding gap for women’s health research in Canada.
Recent advancements in HPV testing, such as Ontario’s introduction of a primary HPV test in 2025, offer hope for early detection and prevention. Dr. Leung emphasized the importance of this new test in identifying women at risk of cervical abnormalities, with Quebec set to implement the screening across the province.
Curan, now cancer-free, emphasized the impact timely testing could have had on her journey, underscoring the significance of accessible screening for all women, including those in Indigenous and remote communities with high cervical cancer rates.
Investments in researchers like Dr. Leung, who is developing an at-home HPV test for early detection, promise to improve care accessibility nationwide. The initiative aims to empower women in remote areas, ensuring equal access to life-saving screening measures.
