The Shifting Politics of Health in Canada: Papanicolaou (Pap) Screening, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination, and Cervical Cancer Prevention

This chapter provides an intersectional analysis of two approaches to cervical cancer prevention: Papanicolaou (Pap) screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Despite the success of Pap screening in reducing cervical cancer, it is disproportionately experienced by marginalised women. In contrast to the gradual incorporation of Pap screening into Canadian health care, HPV vaccination programmes were injected swiftly into public health, shifting the focus of prevention from sexually active adults to sexually naïve girls. We consider the impact of these approaches on health-related outcomes and the experiences of those who are under-served by these technologies and thus less likely to experience their benefits.