Grant: Catalyst Grant: HPV Screening & Vaccination in Underserved Populations

Using a decolonizing approach incorporating Indigenous research methodologies, we aim to increase access and coverage of cervical cancer screening in under-screened rural and urban Indigenous women living in northern BC by offering a novel online service for HPV self-collection based screening. Leveraging the established online testing service, GetCheckedOnline.com, Indigenous Elders and health leads from our partner organizations, Carrier Sekani Family Services and Metis Nation British Columbia, will guide the development of a new HPV screening service where women can request a self-collection kit mailed to their homes, postage paid return by mail, with testing results viewable online. This project will demonstrate the acceptability and feasibility of a safe, private, and culturally appropriate innovative program to increase HPV screening uptake using self-collected samples among rural and urban Indigenous women in northern BC.