INUVIK (November 21, 2025) – The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) recognized World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on November 17, 2025 by hosting community events in Inuvik in partnership with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council.

World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day was originally recognized by the World Health Organization in 2020 as the first official world health day dedicated to eliminating a type of cancer. According to a report issued by the Canadian Cancer Society earlier this week, Canada’s progress to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 has plateaued, making awareness and intervention even more important.  

Recognizing the importance of screening and prevention, NTHSSA staff hosted two events in Inuvik to raise awareness of cervical cancer and support the distribution of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling mail-out pilot project that launched earlier this fall and continues to roll out to all communities in the Beaufort Delta region.

Staff were on site to share resources and answer questions related to HPV vaccinations, cervical screening, and the self-sampling kits that will be mailed out to eligible individuals in Inuvik in the next month.

The pilot project is being implemented using a phased approach community-by-community across the region, having already launched in the communities of Sachs Harbour, Tsiigehtchic, Paulatuk, and Tuktoyaktuk, and launching in Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, and Ulukhaktok over the next three months.

Grounded in prevention and access, this cervical screening initiative allows eligible individuals to perform a quick and easy HPV self-sampling test in the comfort of their own home, or at their local health centre.

Background:

HPV is a vaccine-preventable infection that can cause cancer. While not all HPV strains cause cancer, there are high-risk strains that can cause cells to change into cancer cells, which is why it is important to get the HPV vaccine and complete cervical screening earlier.

The self-sampling mail-out pilot project is expected to roll out to all communities in the Beaufort Delta by March 2026.

For more information about HPV, cervical cancer, or screening information, visit NTHSSA – Cervical Cancer Screening.

For media requests, please contact:

NTHSSA Communications 
nthssacomms@gov.nt.ca