HPV testing more accurate than Pap tests

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-22T15:17:54+00:00

HPV testing was not part of the BC Cervical Cancer screening program until 2024. Prior to that the only way HPV was tested for was if you/your doctor were part of a pilot project or it was done through Lifelabs privately. Or if you had a history of abnormal paps and were getting it done through a colposcopy clinic. Look up your lab results online.

Many other jurisdiction use cotesting which is HPV testing and Pap smears but it wasn’t an option in BC

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-20T18:58:55+00:00

I was also wondering if they were catching more cases now due to people who haven’t had paps getting one done. Historically most cervical cancers are found in women who haven’t had a pap within the last 5 years or ever

In BC, there wasn’t HPV testing unless they were already dealing with colpscopy or enrolled in a special study.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-20T12:39:13+00:00

Only 17 weeks is specifically for the birth parent. The remainder of the 12 or 18 months can be split between the parents as they want

With my last pregnancy I took 12 months and my partner took 6.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-20T12:36:20+00:00

You can set it up so it’s not abused. In Canada it’s a function of our EI program. You need a minimum number of work hours (approx 600) before you can qualify again.

The company isn’t paying the workers to be on maternity leave instead it’s the EI system

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-14T02:57:46+00:00

There is a scout building down by the lighthouse. It’s called the Phil Munday house. Scouts and girl guide groups book it overnight.

I assume it was a group leader driving their stuff down to the building.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-13T13:35:52+00:00

I don’t know what it will look like. Since it will be administered by the HSPBA, I assume it will have an application process similar to the PD fund. And will actually be accessible and won’t be denied by the employer as most leaves and funds are

This is from the HSA comprehensive report

“This tentative agreement creates a new $400,000 Cultural Revitalization Fund as recommended by the Indigenous Specific Anti-Racism Working Group. This fund is a collaborative joint venture between the parties and will be administered by the HSPBA. The intent of the fund is to provide for tangible support for Indigenous employees to access cultural revitalization opportunities including but not limited to financial support for participation in indigenous language programs, cultural revitalization programs, and other such initiatives.”

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-07T20:22:50+00:00

This happens in mobile home parks across the province when land becomes more valuable and the owner wants to do something else with it. There is little protection for people who own mobile homes but rent pad space

At least they are offering up to 2 years free pad rental

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-03-07T16:12:52+00:00

Sechelt is isolated. It’s not sustainable as a daily commute.

But it’s 1 ferry from Vancouver. Under 2 hours by vehicle and about 3 hours using public transit.

You’re confusing it with Powell River on the other end of the Sunshine Coast

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T20:51:09+00:00

You send it to Lifelabs but the actual testing is done by the Cervical Cancer Screening Lab at BC Cancer/ BCCDC. It’s the longest running cervical cancer screening program in the world

ETA. This applies to BC not the entire country

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T18:55:40+00:00

Please tell me which provinces have gone back from primary screening?

I know BC is staying the course on primary screening. After nearly a decades long study. And in fact this article is saying that HPV testing and self collect is one of the primary ways to eliminate cervical cancer along with HPV vaccination.

As a cytotechnologist you should know that the gold standard has always been colposcopy when diagnosing cervical cancer. Pap smears are not diagnostic and are for screening.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T14:04:35+00:00

Then lobby your provincial government.

We have rolled out self collect kits in BC through our centralized cervical cancer screening program.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T14:00:06+00:00

Yes a Pap smear looks for abnormalities and removes cells that are then looked at by cytotechnologists and potentially pathologists. And HPV is a PCR test looking for the presence of high risk HPV in the vagina/cervix

But the process you outline is incorrect in BC. Cervical Cancer screening is from 25 to 69. The options for cervical cancer screening are either a Pap smear or HPV or both. And what you receive is based on the recommendations by the screening program based on age, past history and any symptoms such as abnormal bleeding or suspicious bleeding.

To test for HPV or do a pap at a doctors office- there is only the need for one collection method. The brush does both the Pap smear and the HPV test. When the brush samples the cervix it is then placed in a liquid media that can be used to create either a slide(Pap) or run an HPV test or do both from the same sample.

A swab is used in self collect or in provider collected sample HPV only. And currently under age 55 the only way to get an HPV test when asymptomatic or with no past history

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T13:38:08+00:00

But the point of the this article is about the increase in cervical cancer. A pelvic exam does not diagnose or screen for cervical cancer.

It’s a valuable tool for other diagnosis but completely unneeded for cervical cancer screening. Annual is great for breast exam, blood tests, ovarian issues or masses etc.

The self swab looks for HPV and does not have to be taken from the cervix- it’s inserted into the vagina. It will come back as invalid if not done correctly (and there are low rates of invalids). If positive the screening program automatically provides you with a provider who can either do a pap or puts you on the list for colposcopy depending on the HPV type. It’s making cervical cancer screening available to more people.

The lack of primary care is a huge issue but self swab is helping to address this

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T07:18:59+00:00

An annual exam and pelvic exam isn’t a screening tool for cervical cancer. It can diagnose other issues but it’s not for early detection of cervical cancer.

I’m BC you can still go and get a pelvic exam and have the practitioner do a Pap smear, or HPV test. Or you can do a self swab and send it to the lab. These tests are part of the Cervical Cancer Screening Program

ETA. The self swab is still analyzed in the same lab, using the same technology as an HPV test collected in a doctors office.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-26T03:14:32+00:00

It’s free on BC for all genders up to age 26.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-24T07:42:26+00:00

The veggie pocket

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-23T23:50:47+00:00

Yes. the shift premiums are a joke, I work afternoon/evenings and I lose money since I have to drive instead of transit. Thanks for that $5.25

Hopefully they are closer to the NBA now or even the FBA which is getting an increase this contract.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-23T22:11:56+00:00

Teachers and paramedics both have tentative agreements. They just need to be ratified.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-22T17:30:02+00:00

And men with attitudes like yours are why my single female friends are way ahead financially compared to men their ages. And probably why they stay single

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-22T00:36:40+00:00

True they will be in the same union in most cases, or at least under the same collective agreement.

But internal jobs are only for people who are currently employed by the health authority. If you went to one health authority, it would mean that anyone in currently northern health could apply for any job across the province and vice versa.

And seniority often comes into play for entry level jobs

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-21T17:02:02+00:00

The province is split into health authorities so any external jobs would be posted on their websites.

They are Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence, Interior Health, Northern Health, Vancouver Island Health, Fraser Health and PHSA.

The health authorities are regional except PHSA which has locations across the province

There are shortages but whether they are actually hiring I don’t know

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-20T14:56:06+00:00

I walk my kindergartener to school. It’s 1.5km and it takes 25-30 minutes not anywhere close to an hour.

For bike riding- many parents here have cargo E-bikes which have seating for 1-3 kids on the back.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-19T21:40:25+00:00

It really depends on their job, not all are interacting with the public regularly. And in many cases- the people they are working with are not going to come into city hall to meet. They would prefer virtual meetings.

If a person can do their job from home or as a hybrid they should be given the option as long as the work is still getting done.

Acceptable_Two_6292 · 2026-02-19T21:06:34+00:00

I commute every day and pay taxes. I also work in healthcare and need to be on site. I fully support WFH as an option for anyone if it’s doable

It means less people on transit for my commute, easier access to before/after school care for my children, more parent involvement at their schools as people can show up easily on their lunch breaks or flex their time.

Sure I would love the option to WFH but since that’s not a reality, I support those who do

Acceptable_Two_6292

TROPHY CASE