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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A new study will determine the prevalence of the human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical dysplasia in women of the NWT.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide.

Although most women with an infection will be clear of the virus within two years, chronic infection with specific strains of HPV is the principal risk factor for the development of cervical cancer in women.

Recent studies of aboriginal women in Manitoba and Nunavut have reported a higher prevalence of cancer-causing HPV types.

Currently, there is no information on HPV prevalence and type within the NWT.

Baseline data for the NWT will help determine the potential impact of an HPV vaccine program.

Although not directly involved in the study, Dr. Andre Corriveau, the NWT's chief medical health officer, is very supportive of the research.

"We're going to get baseline data on the prevalence of HPV strains in the North," he said.

Corriveau said there are roughly 100 strains of the HPV virus worldwide, with some causing no disease, others causing genital warts and a few strains causing cancer of the cervix in women.

A number of doctors and organizations are working together on the study.

The lead researchers are Dr. Yang Mao of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Dr. Paul Brassard of McGill University, who are working in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services and the Arctic Health Research Network-Northwest Territories.

The HPV study will be implemented in two phases.

Phase 1 will survey the prevalence of HPV strains through an anonymous, unlinked lab analysis of leftover Pap test samples taken from NWT women between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009.

This testing will be done on all Pap test samples, although women can choose to opt out.

Corriveau said Pap tests currently only detect changes in cells that can indicate the possibility of cancer.

However, the doctor noted new technology has allowed testing for HPV.

Such testing is often done in the south, but has not yet been done in the NWT.

Corriveau said the first part of the study will offer a picture of what HPV strains are in the NWT and where.

"I am basically advocating for people to participate in this project," he said.

Phase 2, which is still in the planning stage, will involve active recruitment of study participants at selected locations. They will be asked to complete a risk factor questionnaire that will be anonymously linked to the HPV test results. The demographic information will include age, ethnicity and region of residence.

The research is being supported by the federal government through International Polar Year funding.

Corriveau said the GNWT is considering implementing a vaccine program against four strains of HPV - two that cause cervical cancer and two that cause genital warts.

Although the program is still in the discussion stage, the voluntary vaccine would likely be administered to girls in Grade 4 or 5 beginning next September.

The doctor said about one case of advanced cervical cancer is detected in the NWT each year or two but hundreds of abnormal Pap tests each year warn those women they are in danger of contracting cancer.