Northwest Territories launches HPV self-screening kit mail-out pilot
The Northwest Territories (NWT) is piloting a new way to expand access to cervical cancer screening by sending free human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling kits to eligible residents in the Beaufort Delta region. The initiative, developed with input from local Indigenous organizations and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, aims to remove barriers to screening for people living in remote communities.
How the pilot works
The self-sampling program is being rolled out first to Sachs Harbour and Tsiigehtchic, with plans to extend to all Beaufort Delta communities by the end of March 2026 and broader expansion to other Northwest Territories regions through March 2027. The program arrangement acknowledges potential disruptions, noting the ongoing Canada Post strike may affect mail delivery in some areas.
Eligible participants—people with a cervix aged 25 to 69, including women, non-binary, two-spirit, transgender, and intersex people—will receive a kit by mail. Each kit includes an invitation letter, an Evalyn brush for self-sampling, an instruction pamphlet, and a laboratory requisition form. The user can collect a vaginal sample at home or at a local health centre, then return the sample and form to a designated site for testing. In communities where mail-out is not yet available, individuals can still access HPV self-sampling at their local health centre or primary care clinic.
Who can benefit and how to proceed
For people who prefer or require assistance, healthcare providers can still collect a sample upon request. Jenna Long, the NWT health authority’s acting executive director of clinical integration, emphasized the kit’s user-friendly design: “The HPV test kit is designed for easy self-use.” When needed, patients can opt for provider-collected samples instead of self-sampling.
The program aligns with updated cervical cancer screening guidelines in the NWT, which shifted from Pap tests to HPV testing as the preferred primary screening method. While HPV testing can be done less often and is often more effective at detecting high-risk infections early, Pap tests remain available in the territory for those who prefer or require them due to medical reasons.
Why this matters: prevention and accessibility
The initiative is rooted in prevention, aiming to increase access to cervical screening and reduce barriers for people in remote communities. Involving local Indigenous organizations ensures culturally respectful engagement and leadership as the territory works toward eradicating cervical cancer, which remains a significant health concern worldwide for those with a cervix.
According to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, HPV testing can detect cervical cancer earlier and more efficiently than Pap tests, and can lower the overall number of cervical cancer cases by enabling earlier intervention. Self-screening can also improve access for individuals without a usual healthcare provider, support culturally safe screening experiences, and increase comfort for people with trauma histories.
What to expect next
Officials say the pilot will inform broader rollout across the NWT, with the program expected to culminate in March 2027. As with any mail-out initiative, the timing can be influenced by logistics, including postal service disruptions. The health authority encourages residents to stay informed through local health centres and to contact the cervical screening program for questions or to request a kit or opt out.
For more information on the NWT’s HPV self-sampling program, residents can email the cervical screening program, call 1-866-313-7989 and select option eight, or speak with a healthcare provider.
