How regular pap testing failed this London mother
New study uncovers several similar cases involving women in the region
Karla Van Kessel has always taken pride in her health.
In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, the 42-year-old London, Ont. woman has made a point to get pap tests on a regular basis since her early 20s.
That's why she was surprised and disheartened when she was diagnosed with late stage cancer of the cervix last year.
"My health was always very pivotal in my life," she says. "I was very active. I eat well, exercise, everything."
"It was shocking."
The diagnosis comes after Van Kessel had been suffering from some symptoms associated with cervical cancer, such as pelvic pain and intermittent bleeding. However, Van Kessel says her general practitioner saw no cause for concern.
"I'm frustrated and disappointed I wasn't more aware of the issues with pap testing," Van Kessel says.
"I did discover midway through my treatment last year that my pap test actually did have some indications that I needed to be referred for a biopsy. But my GP interpreted it to be no big deal, despite me saying over and over all of my symptoms. It was very disregarded."
Study shows issues pap tests are not failsafe
According to recent research by a medical team in London, Van Kessel's case is not an isolated one.
In a study of 38 women under the age of 50 treated at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) who had cervical cancer requiring chemotherapy, 13 of those 38 patients had undergone a pap smear in the two years prior to their cancer diagnosis.
"When their family doctor sees they have a normal pap test, there's a tendency to think 'Well, it can't be cervical cancer so let me think of everything else,'" said Dr. David D'Souza, a radiation oncologist with the London Regional Cancer Program and the study's lead researcher.
Still, D'Souza insists the study isn't an indictment of the pap smear test as a screening tool.
He adds that his research found the test has led to "a significant decline in cervical cancer incidence and mortality."
'An absolute nightmare'
Despite her Stage 4 diagnosis, Van Kessel agrees that the pap test remains an important screening tool for women, and would like to see a concurrent HPV test administered with the pap smear, as done in other parts of the world, like Australia.
Van Kessel also continues to fight back against the disease, even as she and her family are preparing for the worst.
Her cancer had been in remission after finishing treatment last August. But last month, she was told that it had returned and spread. She underwent chemotherapy this past week.
"It's hugely impacted my life," she said. "I've had to take a leave from a rewarding and wonderful job, and I'm a wife and a mother of two young children. So of course I'm thinking about a future of not being there for them."
"It's horrible. It's an absolute nightmare."
Listen to Karla Van Kessel's full interview with CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive: