Your Pap Test Appointment

Get screened by booking a 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. Make a Pap test appointment with your healthcare provider. If you do not have a health-care provider, please call the Screening Program for Cervical Cancer 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.

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).

An instrument called a speculum is inserted into your vagina so your cervix can be seen. Then, cells are taken from the cervix and sent to a lab for assessment. Everyone going for cervical screening will get a Pap 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. These changes can progress over the years from precancerous cell changes into cervical cancer, if left undetected and untreated.

The lab runs an HPV reflex test automatically for people in specific age groups with certain Pap test results. The HPV result, combined with your Pap test result, helps your healthcare provider decide what follow-up you may need.

Preparing for your Pap test

To prepare for cervical screening, you should:

  • 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, vaginal sprays or powders, or contraceptive creams 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. 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 follow-up tests you may need. Most people who have follow-up and/or treatment for an abnormal Pap test result will never get cervical cancer.

Are there symptoms to watch for between cervical screening appointments?

Tell your health-care provider immediately if you start bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse, or after menopause.

Understanding your cervical cancer screening test results

Cervical screening includes Pap testing and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) reflex testing, which tests for HPV. Everyone who has gone for 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 follow-up.

Pap Test Results

What are the types of Pap test results?

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 follow-up 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 follow-up 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 you may have cancer. You will need other 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 could be related to changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection.

What happens after an abnormal Pap test result?

Your health-care provider will contact you for an appointment to discuss your results and any follow-up tests you may need. You may be asked to go for repeat Pap tests or be referred to a specialist for a colposcopy. 

If You Need Further Testing: 

If you had an abnormal Pap test, your health-care provider will contact you for a follow-up appointment. You may require a repeat Pap test or a colposcopy. 

What is a colposcopy? 

A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a microscope called a colposcope. 

What happens after a colposcopy? 

If low-grade abnormalities are found during colposcopy: 

  • You may need repeat Pap tests or a repeat colposcopy procedure. 

  • You should have a Pap test every six to 12 months. When two normal results in a row occur, then 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 so that cancer does not develop. 

  • You should keep having 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.

What are the types of HPV reflex test results?

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 text result mean?

An HPV no result means the lab could not test the sample for HPV. You will need to have a repeat HPV test as soon as possible. Contact your healthcare provider to discuss your result and repeat the 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.

Colposcopy and Other Further Testing

  • Learn more about colposcopy by clicking here.
Additional Resources