Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer by finding changes early, before cancer develops. If you have a cervix, regular screening is important even if you feel healthy and have no symptoms.
Who should be screened, which test is used, and how often screening is done depend on your province or territory. Some provinces and territories are also changing the type of test used for cervical screening, including HPV testing instead of the Pap test.
Not sure when you are due? Check when you had your last cervical screening test and contact your primary care clinic or provincial screening program to find out when your next test is recommended.
If your screening includes an HPV test and the result is positive, it does not mean that you have cervical cancer. HPV is very common, and most infections go away on their own. A positive result usually means that additional testing or follow-up may be recommended to check for changes that could increase your risk for cervical cancer.
Even if you have received the HPV vaccine, regular cervical screening is still important. The vaccine provides strong protection, but it does not protect against every HPV type that could cause cervical cancer.
Routine cervical screening is for people who do not have symptoms. If you have bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, unusual vaginal discharge, or ongoing pelvic pain, contact a healthcare professional promptly instead of waiting for your next screening test.
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