Consortium for Infectious Disease Control

- - Also see the list of professional development resources (under the “Webinars” tab and the “CIDC Resources” tab)- -

New resource booklet:

Counselling Patients about HPV
Test Results, prevention and vaccination

CIDC is excited to announce the release of this updated booklet, written by Canadian HPV experts. This publication includes general information on HPV and cervical cancer screening, and is organized into 5 thematic sections. It also includes many references and an appendix containing resource links for clinicians and for patients. Each of the 5 thematic sections includes objectives and various scenarios that clinicians might encounter during discussions with patients, each with helpful tips, suggestions, and background information on the issue. The included sections are entitled:

1. HPV Testing and Screening
2. Sexual Transmission of HPV
3. HPV Vaccination as part of the Pre- or Post- HPV test Counselling
4. HPV Testing: What do your patients want to know?
5. HPV Testing and Beyond: Complex Psychological Issues

HPV Disease Prevention

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is the established cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. More than 70% of sexually active men and women will be infected with HPV at least once in their lifetime.  Two high risk oncogenic types of HPV (types 16 and 18) cause 70% of cervical cancers. These two types of HPV have also been associated with cancers of the anus, oropharynx, penis, vagina, and vulva. Two “low risk” (for cancer) types of HPV (types 6 and 11) are responsible for 90% of genital warts and are associated with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.  Two HPV vaccines have been approved in Canada and offer the potential to dramatically reduce the burden of disease caused by HPV.

CIDC is an active leader in HPV prevention and supports medical experts from Canada and around the world in the prevention and control of HPV-related diseases.  Staff have worked extensively in HPV knowledge synthesis, translation and exchange. 

Canadian Network on HPV Prevention

The mandate of the Canadian Network on HPV Prevention (CNHpvP) is to improve the health of Canadians by optimizing prevention strategies and technologies related to HPV associated diseases.  The CNHpvP operates as an affiliated program of the Consortium for Infectious Disease Control (CIDC) and is chaired by Dr. Marc Steben MD, CCFM, FCFM. The CNHpvP bridges communication and coordination gaps by bringing together key academic, clinical, government and non-government organizations representing diverse agendas and expertise.  CNHpvP nurtures collaborative partnerships that span public health, healthcare, advocacy, and research interests. Network activities foster collaborative HPV research and enhance synergies between stakeholders.  These activities facilitate knowledge translation, exchange and transfer to clinical practice.

JOIN THE CANADIAN Network on HPV PREVENTION:

All medical/health care professionals with an interest in HPV control and HPV related diseases are invited to join the CNHP. There is no cost for individuals to join. Please send your contact coordinates in a message from the “Contact” tab on this website.

International Indigenous HPV Alliance (IIHpvA)

CIDC is the founder of the International Indigenous HPV Alliance (IIHpvA) and has served as its secretariat for over a decade. Globally, Indigenous peoples experience an increased burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) related diseases.  CIDC demonstrates leadership for HPV control by and amongst Indigenous communities by encouraging innovative and culturally-appropriate prevention, screening and treatment strategies for Indigenous peoples in both developed and developing countries.  HPV is one of the most commonly recognized sexually transmitted infections and is the established cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV is also associated with cancers of the anus, oropharynx, penis, vagina and vulva.  Cervical cancer rates continue to be significantly higher in many Indigenous populations than in the general population of certain regions and countries. Inequitable access to health services, including insufficient or inappropriate health education and promotion, undoubtedly sustains or contributes to Indigenous health disparities.  Rather than accepting current disparities, CIDC and the IIHpvA work together to develop and promote specific actions to address these inequities. The goal of this partnership is to reduce the global burden of HPV disease through the promotion of the understanding of the personal and public benefits of prioritizing the health of Indigenous populations.  A session for international medical professionals on the control of HPV disease amongst Indigenous peoples has been developed for each of the last ten conferences of the International Papillomavirus Society.

Canada’s role in accelerating global elimination

of Cervical cancer

CIDC coordinated the development of an action plan that when implemented will see significant results toward the elimination of cervical cancer not only in Canada but around the globe by the year 2030. Recognized top experts from across Canada (and beyond) came together to develop this important document complete with dozens of recommendations.

To access the informational booklet click on the button below:

Partner: HPV Global action

The mission statement of HPV Global Action is to raise awareness of positive sexual and reproductive health practices through the implementation of comprehensive education programs, while emphasizing HPV and its potential consequences. We empower culturally and ideologically diverse youth, families, and communities across the globe through the dissemination of critical, evidence-based knowledge

Also see the list of professional development resources (under the “Webinars” tab and the “CIDC Resources” tab).