Pop-up cervical screening clinic tops 500 tests at St. Joseph’s

A pop-up cervical cancer screening clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare saw a massive demand this week. CTV’s Reta Ismail reports.

More than 500 cervical screening tests have now been completed through a series of pop-up clinics at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, a milestone that organizers say underscores both the demand for accessible care and gaps in routine screening.

The most recent drop-in clinic was held on Wednesday in collaboration with the South West Regional Cancer Program. Since the first pop-up launched in January 2024, six clinics have been held.

Dr. Robert Di Cecco, medical director of St. Joseph’s Colposcopy Clinic, says the response has been overwhelming.

“Incredible just how good the response has been for these clinics. We’re now over 500 people that we’ve seen over the course of the six clinics, which I think is huge,” he said.

Hospital officials say most people attending the clinics do not have a family doctor, and approximately five per cent of patients require follow-up care. Di Cecco says the turnout highlights how many people are missing out on routine preventive care.

“A lot of the stories we’re getting is that it’s been many years since they’ve had a screening test done. And because of the shortage of primary care providers like this is really become a very worthwhile clinic to do,” he said.

For 27-year-old patient Leandra Gumb, attending the clinic was about prevention and peace of mind.

“For me, it’s preventative care. So, I would rather go through the appointment. And I know it’s a little nerve-racking, but I would rather get, make sure I don’t have anything going on, then it’d be too late,” she said.

Gumb adds the drop-in format made the process easier, especially for people without a family doctor.

“I think it is very useful, and I like the accessibility of it. I actually told one of my friends and I saw her here earlier today, so that was really funny that the word of mouth spread really fast. So I think it’s very nice for people that maybe don’t have family doctors. And it’s not as easy to get into these types of clinics,” she said.

In March 2025, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) introduced a new HPV test for cervical screening, replacing the traditional pap test. The new test better detects the human papillomavirus, which is responsible for most cervical cancers.

Di Cecco says screening works best alongside vaccination.

“It’s been very, very effective at decreasing abnormal cytology. Other countries that had had a much more universal vaccine program or seeing a significant decrease in the incidence of abnormal pap smears and a decrease in cervical cancer. In fact, some countries are saying that they’re going to eliminate cervical cancer in the next few years because of the screening and the vaccine. One doesn’t eliminate the other. So, they’re both very, very effective,” he said.

To reflect the updated testing, the clinic has been renamed ‘Pop-up Cervical Check.’

No appointment is necessary, but patients must be at least 25 years old and must not have had a cervical screening test in the past three years.

St. Joseph’s Health Care London says it hopes to hold at least three pop-up clinics per year.