Ontario Introduces New Cervical Screening Test to Better Prevent Cervical Cancer

The Ontario Cervical Screening Program now uses HPV testing (replacing the Pap test) to better prevent cervical cancer.

Ontario has introduced a new cervical screening test that uses human papillomavirus (HPV) testing to better prevent cervical cancer. The test is part of the Ontario Cervical Screening Program, a publicly funded cervical screening program for women, Two-Spirit people, transmasculine people, and nonbinary people with a cervix.

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by HPV. The new screening test, which has replaced the Pap test, is better at helping prevent cervical cancer. It checks for types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and may also detect cell changes in the cervix caused by these types of HPV.  Someone can have HPV for many years and not know it unless they get the cervical screening test. Cell changes in the cervix caused by some types of HPV can turn into cervical cancer over time if they are not treated.

The cervical screening test feels like getting a Pap test. A family doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife uses a small, soft brush to take cells from the cervix, which are then tested in a lab for types of HPV and abnormal cell changes. The new cervical screening test is more accurate, allowing most people to go longer between screenings.

Eligibility for Cervical Cancer Screening

Someone is eligible for cervical screening if they:

• are a woman, Two-Spirit person, transmasculine person, or nonbinary person with a cervix
• are at least 25 years old
• have ever had sexual contact with another person
• do not have symptoms like unusual bleeding or discharge from the vagina

People should still get screened if they:

• have had the HPV vaccine
• feel healthy
• have been through menopause
• have no family history of cervical cancer
• have had sexual contact with only one person
• have had the same sexual partner for a long time
• have not had sexual contact in a long time
• are in a same-sex relationship

Most people can stop cervical screening between ages 65 to 69, but some may need to continue if advised by their health care provider.

How Often People Should Get Screened

The Ontario Cervical Screening Program recommends that most people who qualify for cervical screening get screened every five years. Research shows that getting screened for HPV with a cervical screening test every five years is as effective as getting screened with a Pap test every three years.

How to Get Cervical Cancer Screening

People can call their doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse or midwife to ask them to do the cervical screening test or use Health811 any time to find a clinic that does cervical screening tests.