Cervical Cancer Screening
(Pap Test)

Cervical cancer screening (Pap test) looks to find abnormal cells of the cervix before they become cancer. This is done by looking at your cervix through a speculum, brushing or gently scraping a few cells from the cervix, putting them on a slide, and sending them for analysis at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver.

Results usually take about 4-12 weeks to return to our clinic. If any abnormal cells are found, then we will arrange for repeat testing or refer you to the Colposcopy Clinic for further investigations.

Having regular Pap tests can prevent 7 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer.

Most cervical cancer is caused by HPV, the Human Papilloma Virus - specifically strains 16 and 18. There are currently two vaccines available in Canada that can prevent HPV (Gardisil and Cervarix). Please contact Immunize BC for more information on HPV vaccines.

People who were assigned female at birth should be screened every 3 years between the ages of 25 and 69.

You should still get a Pap test even if you have had an HPV vaccine, are not having sex, have only one sexual partner, or if you are in a same sex relationship.