Everything you want to know about getting screened for cervical cancer
Preparing for your test
A Pap test is a quick and simple test that looks for any changes in the cells of the cervix. It’s usually done in your healthcare provider’s office or in a clinic. An HPV test looks for high-risk strains of HPV that may lead to abnormal cells in the cervix. This test is highly effective at identifying people who are at risk for cervical cancer. This test is done with your healthcare provider. Some provinces may provide an option for you to collect your own sample at home or at the healthcare provider’s office. While either test can be uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful.
Try to schedule your screening so that it will be done at a time when you’re not having your period.
48 hours before your screening test
Don’t use a vaginal douche, vaginal medications or contraceptive (spermicidal) creams, foams or jellies (unless your doctor has told you to). These products may wash away or hide abnormal cells.
24 hours before your screening test
Avoid having sex.
What happens during a Pap test?
The healthcare provider will use a small wooden spatula to gently scrape the surface of the lower part of the cervix to pick up cells. A special brush called a cytobrush is used to get cells from the upper part of the cervix that leads into the uterus. The cells are smeared onto a glass slide, and the sample is then sent to the lab to be looked at under a microscope. If the screening test shows a change or abnormality, you may have follow-up tests such as:
- another Pap test
- an HPV test
- a colposcopy
- a biopsy
An abnormal Pap test result means that there have been changes to the cells in the cervix. In some cases, it means that a precancerous condition is present. These can be treated successfully so they don’t develop into cancer. Most precancerous changes in the cervix are caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
What happens during an HPV test?
In your province or territory, self-administered testing for HPV may be available. It might also be called “at-home testing” or “self-sampling.” For self-administered testing, you’ll collect a small sample from your vagina using a swab. Use the instructions that you’ll receive as part of the kit from the screening program. If you feel pain or have trouble collecting your sample, ask a healthcare provider for help.
If you have a positive HPV result, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. It means that HPV has been detected. You will need to complete follow-up tests, such as another HPV test, a Pap test or a colposcopy, to determine if a precancerous condition or cervical cancer is present.
If no HPV is found when you are screened using this test, then you don’t need to be screened for another 5 years. Screening using the HPV test every 5 years is as safe as having a Pap test every 3 years.
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