kim-Claude Brossard’s recent battle with cervical cancer, diagnosed shortly after the birth of her second child, underscores the ongoing challenges in preventing and treating this disease.While largely preventable through vaccination and regular screenings, cervical cancer continues to impact women and families, highlighting disparities in healthcare access across Canada. Brossard’s story serves as a critical reminder of the importance of both individual preventative measures and systemic improvements to ensure equitable access to testing and vaccines. The World Health Institution aims to eliminate cervical cancer globally by 2040, a goal requiring significant increases in HPV vaccination rates and comprehensive screening programs [[2]].
Kim-Claude Brossard received a cancer diagnosis at age 30, shortly after the birth of her second child. Her story highlights the critical importance of preventative screenings and equitable access to healthcare for women’s health.
“When the gynecologist told me it was likely cancer, it was really difficult,” Brossard recalled six years after her diagnosis. “In my mind, my children were going to lose their mother.”
That initial conversation led to a series of tests that ultimately revealed cervical cancer, following the detection of precancerous cells.
“When you’re told you have cancer, you think you’re going to die. I had my baby, I was breastfeeding, it was a really tough time,” she explained. She underwent a radical hysterectomy when her son was 11 months old – a procedure defined by the Canadian Cancer Society as the removal of the uterus.
Fortunately, the surgery allowed doctors to preserve her ovaries, preventing premature menopause.
“This is a very insidious disease, and it’s important to prevent it,” Brossard emphasized.
Prevention and Vaccination Key to Combating a “Very Insidious” Cancer
Brossard is particularly concerned about access to screening in Canada. She believes access to HPV testing remains limited in many areas. “HPV testing isn’t accessible to everyone yet… if we could have access to this exam more universally, it would be very beneficial,” she stated.
She also noted that some patients struggle to access cervical cancer screening at all.
“Often, many women don’t get Pap tests or don’t have a family doctor… access is still quite complex in some places,” she said.
Brossard also highlighted disparities in access to available vaccines.
“I was able to get vaccinated because my insurance paid for it… it still cost me almost $200. So it’s not accessible to everyone. And the vaccine that is accessible to everyone sometimes doesn’t cover all strains,” she noted.
To achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, several provinces, including Quebec, will need to increase vaccination coverage among girls and boys. Scientists say this coverage should exceed 90%. Currently, only Newfoundland and Labrador have reached this threshold. The low vaccination rates underscore the need for improved public health initiatives to protect against HPV-related cancers.
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