Ontario advocates for new HPV cervical cancer screening test

Alicia Hilderley, diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer, is advocating for a new HPV screening test in Ontario. This test, which replaces the Pap test, directly screens for the virus that causes cervical cancer, aiming to prevent similar diagnoses. The new screening method is more effective at detecting cancer early compared to the previous Pap test. It is part of a broader effort to reduce cervical cancer rates, which have been rising in Canada despite the availability of vaccines and improved screening tools. Hilderley emphasizes the importance of the new test, stating that it could help others avoid her experience. She is involved in a clinical trial that has extended her life, highlighting the advancements in healthcare that can prevent cervical cancer.