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Your Pap Test Appointment
Get screened. Book your Pap test.
To be screened for cervical cancer, you need to book a Pap test.
A free Pap test is done at your health-care provider’s office. If you do not have a health-care provider, please call CervixCheck or go here for a list of clinics offering Pap tests.
What is the combined Pap and HPV reflex testing?
The Pap test and HPV reflex test can both help to prevent cervical cancer.
- Pap test
A Pap test is a free test done by your healthcare provider. It checks for abnormal cell changes on the cervix (the entrance to the uterus).
- HPV reflex test
An HPV reflex test checks for high-risk HPV in a Pap test sample. High-risk HPV causes most (99.7 per cent) cervical cancer. High-risk HPV can cause changes in the cells of the cervix — changes that can progress over the years from precancerous cells into cervical cancer, if left undetected and untreated.
The lab automatically runs an HPV reflex test for individuals in specific age groups with certain Pap test results. The HPV result, combined with your Pap test result, helps your healthcare provider decide what followup you may need.
Your Pap test
- 5 tips to prepare for cervical screening
Book your Pap test appointment when you are not expecting to have a period. If you are menstruating on the day of your appointment, still go for screening.
Avoid sexual intercourse for at least 24 hours before your screening.
Avoid using vaginal douches, vaginal medicines, contraceptive creams and vaginal sprays or powders for at least 24 hours before your screening.
Avoid having a Pap test if you are being treated for cervical or vaginal infection. Wait at least two weeks after treatment has ended before having a screening.
- Empty your bladder before the Pap test.
- What happens during a Pap test?
During your Pap test appointment, you will be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on an exam table with your feet on footrests. Most clinics will offer you a sheet to cover yourself with.
Allow your knees to fall away from each other.
An instrument called a speculum is inserted into your vagina so your cervix can be seen. Breathe deeply to help calm your muscles. This allows the speculum to be inserted more easily.
You may feel some discomfort, but you should not feel pain. If you feel pain, be sure to let your health-care provider know.
A small, broom-like device is used to collect cells from the cervix. The cells are placed in a vial and sent to a lab for assessment.
- What happens after a Pap test?
You can resume your normal activities right after having a cervical screening.
Your health-care providers will contact you about your results. The Screening Program for Cervical Cancer will also mail you the results of your tests. You can view your results on MySaskHealthRecord.
Most Pap test results are normal. You can return to your regular cervical screening schedule if you have a normal Pap test result.
If you have an abnormal Pap, your health-care provider will contact you for an appointment to discuss your results and any followup tests you may need. Most people who have followup and/or treatment for an abnormal Pap test result will never get cervical cancer.
Pap Test Results
- Understanding your cervical cancer screening test results
Cervical screening includes Pap testing and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) reflex testing, which tests for HPV. Everyone who undergoes screening will have a Pap test. The lab automatically completes an HPV reflex test on your Pap test sample, depending on your age and Pap test result. This combined Pap and HPV reflex testing system helps your health-care provider recommend appropriate followup.
The result of your Pap test can be normal, unsatisfactory or abnormal.
- What does a normal Pap test result mean?
A normal (or “negative”) result means that the cervical cells appear normal, and no abnormal cell changes were found on your cervix. You can return to your regular cervical screening schedule.
New cell changes can still form on your cervix after a Pap test. Continue with routine Pap tests at least every three years.
- What does an unsatisfactory Pap test result mean?
Sometimes, the laboratory has difficulty seeing the cells in your Pap test. This may be because:
Blood was mixed with the cells.
Cells were not visible because of inflammation.
Not enough cells were collected to give an accurate result.
The specimen could have been damaged in transit to the laboratory.
If you have an unsatisfactory result, you should schedule a followup appointment with your health-care provider. You will be advised to have a repeat Pap test in three months.
- What does an abnormal Pap test result mean?
An abnormal result means some of the cells of the cervix look different from normal cells. This does not mean that you have cervical cancer. It means that more followup testing is required.
The cell changes may be mild, moderate, or severe. It is important to note that mild cell changes usually return to normal within two years. However, more severe changes may turn into cancer if they are not treated. In rare cases, an abnormal Pap test can show that you may have cancer. You will need additional tests to be sure.
- What causes an abnormal Pap test result?
An abnormal result is often caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV causes an infection that will most often clear on its own. However, some infections may lead to precancerous cell changes that could progress to cervical cancer if left untreated.
Some abnormal results may be related to changes such as pregnancy, menopause or an infection.
- What happens after an abnormal Pap test result?
Your healthcare provider will contact you to schedule an appointment to discuss your results and any necessary follow-up tests. You may be asked to go for repeat Pap tests or be referred to a specialist for a colposcopy.
- What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a microscope called a colposcope. Learn more about a colposcopy by clicking here.
- What happens after a colposcopy?
If low-grade abnormalities are found during colposcopy:
You may need a repeat Pap test or a repeat colposcopy procedure.
You should have a Pap test every six to 12 months. When two normal results in a row occur, you can return to regular Pap test screening.
If high-grade abnormalities are found during colposcopy:
Treatment will be recommended. Most often, these abnormalities can be treated successfully, preventing cancer from developing.
You should continue to have Pap tests every year for at least 20 years.
- What is the treatment for abnormal cells?
Your health-care provider will discuss the procedures and treatments available, including:
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), a surgery that uses a thin wire loop to remove the abnormal tissue
Laser therapy, which destroys tissue with a laser beam
Cone biopsy, where a cone-shaped piece of abnormal tissue is removed from the cervix
Cryotherapy, which destroys tissue by freezing
More information about Pap tests and Pap test results is available at paptestinfo.ca
HPV Reflex Test Results
Depending on your age and Pap test result, the lab will automatically complete an HPV test on your sample.
An HPV reflex test result can be negative, no result or positive.
- What does a negative HPV reflex test result mean?
A negative HPV reflex test result means you do not have high-risk HPV. Your risk of developing cervical cancer before your next Pap test is the same as if you had a normal Pap test result.
You can return to your regular cervical screening schedule.
- What does a no result HPV reflex test result mean?
A no result HPV reflex result means the lab was unable to test the sample for HPV. You will need to have a repeat HPV test as soon as possible. Contact your health-care provider to discuss your result and schedule a repeat test.
- What does a positive HPV reflex test result mean?
A positive HPV reflex result means that you have high-risk HPV. It does not mean you have or will develop cervical cancer. High-risk HPV can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can progress over the years from precancerous cell changes into cervical cancer if left undetected and untreated. It is important to speak with your health-care provider, who will refer you to a specialist for a colposcopy.
