Canadian Guideline on the Management of a Positive Human Papillomavirus Test and Guidance for Specific Populations

• Published in: Current Oncology
• Main Authors: Tiffany Zigras, Marie-Hélène Mayrand, Celine Bouchard, Shannon Salvador, Lua Eiriksson, Chelsea Almadin, Sarah Kean, Erin Dean, Unjali Malhotra, Nicole Todd, Daniel Fontaine, James Bentley
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2023
• Subjects: human papilloma virus test; HPV test; HPV self-sampling; HPV guidelines; Indigenous; First Nations; Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens; RC254-282; Canada
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30060425; https://doaj.org/article/39b9f868d3104f8888306de8d62bc89f

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence-based guidance on the management of a positive human papilloma virus (HPV) test and to provide guidance around screening and HPV testing for specific patient populations. The guideline was developed by a working group in collaboration with the Gynecologic Oncology Society of Canada (GOC), Society of Colposcopists of Canada (SCC), and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. The literature informing these guidelines was obtained through a systematic review of relevant literature by a multi-step search process led by an information specialist. The literature was reviewed up to July 2021 with manual searches of relevant national guidelines and more recent publications. The quality of the evidence and strength of recommendations were developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. The intended users of this guideline include primary care providers, gynecologists, colposcopists, screening programs, and healthcare facilities. The implementation of the recommendations will ensure an optimum implementation of HPV testing with a focus on the management of positive results. Recommendations for appropriate care for underserved and marginalized groups are made.