Cervical Screening Program - HPV Screening & Colposcopy
Cancer Care and Sexual Health
Provided by BC Cancer
Early detection of cervical cancer with HPV screening.
Cervix screening in BC is transitioning from cytology (Pap test) to HPV testing as the primary screening method. HPV testing looks for the virus that causes cervical cancer. It can find people who are more likely to develop abnormal cell changes caused by HPV.
If eligible, patients can choose to collect their own sample from their vagina (cervix self-screening) for HPV testing. Patients can also continue to have a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (Pap test sample for cervix screening. Liquid-based cytology samples may be used to look for cell changes on the cervix or may be used for HPV testing. This will depend on the patient’s age and clinical history.
If eligible, patients can choose to collect their own sample from their vagina (cervix self-screening) for HPV testing. Patients can also continue to have a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (Pap test sample for cervix screening. Liquid-based cytology samples may be used to look for cell changes on the cervix or may be used for HPV testing. This will depend on the patient’s age and clinical history.
SCREENING ELIGIBILITY
Anyone with a cervix, including women, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people, between the ages of 25 and 69, should screen regularly for cervical cancer. An individual should still screen regularly for cervical cancer if they have:
Had the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine;
Ever had any sexual contact with another person of any gender; and/or;
Have been through menopause.
Anyone with a cervix, including women, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people, between the ages of 25 and 69, should screen regularly for cervical cancer. An individual should still screen regularly for cervical cancer if they have:
An individual can stop cervix screening at age 69 if they have always had normal Pap tests, had cervical cancer in the past, or been told by a health care provider to stop cervix screening.
BC Cancer Cervix Screening recalls patients directly with a mailed reminder letter when they are due for re-screening. Reminder letters will be sent to patients a few weeks after they are due and a screening test result has not been reported.
CERVIX SELF-SCREENING
Cervix self-screening uses HPV testing to look for HPV in the vagina. HPV testing does not need a sample from the cervix.
An individual can self-screen if they are between the ages of 25 and 69 and:
Cervix self-screening uses HPV testing to look for HPV in the vagina. HPV testing does not need a sample from the cervix.
An individual can self-screen if they are between the ages of 25 and 69 and:
- Have a cervix.
- Are due for routine screening and
- Have had any sexual contact with another person of any gender
Individuals who are NOT eligible for self-screening include:
- Those who are experiencing any symptoms, like bleeding between periods.
- Those who are pregnant or using a pessary. See a healthcare provider to discuss cervix screening options and when to screen.
- Those who have had their cervix removed (e.g., total hysterectomy). Talk to a healthcare provider to see if cervix screening is still required.
- Those who have had treatment for pre-cancerous cells in the past. Talk to a healthcare provider to see what type of screening is recommended.
Individuals can complete self-screening at the provider’s office/clinic, or by requesting a self-screening kit online at www.screeningbc.ca or by calling 1-877-702-6566.
PAP TEST (PROVIDER-COLLECTED LBC SAMPLE)
A Pap test is done in a health care provider’s office or clinic. An instrument called a speculum is gently inserted into the vagina so the cervix can be seen. A sample of cervical cells is taken with a small brush or spatula. It is then checked for signs of abnormal cells and/or HPV. What gets tested depends on the patient’s age and health history.
A Pap test is done in a health care provider’s office or clinic. An instrument called a speculum is gently inserted into the vagina so the cervix can be seen. A sample of cervical cells is taken with a small brush or spatula. It is then checked for signs of abnormal cells and/or HPV. What gets tested depends on the patient’s age and health history.
A Pap test is recommended for:
- Follow-up of cervix self-screening results.
- People who would prefer a Pap test instead of cervix self-screening or who may have difficulty with cervix self-screening.
- People who have a history of pre-cancerous cells.
- People who are using a pessary.
- Patients who are already receiving a speculum exam and/or already at the clinic and may have difficulty returning to the clinic if their self-screening result requires a follow-up cytology sample.
Facilitated referral to colposcopy:
When a cervix screening result recommends colposcopy, BC Cancer will send a referral to a colposcopy clinic based on the patient’s postal code. Primary care providers will receive a Notice of Referral indicating that a patient has been referred for colposcopy by the program on the provider’s behalf. For more information, please refer to this Fact Sheet or visit their website
Location finder: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening...
1‐877‐747‐2522 - Cervical Cancer Screening Laboratory (CCSL)
Public email: screening@bccancer.bc.ca
Website: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening...
#801, 686 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1G1
Service is available in English.
Cost: No cost
Referral options:
- Physician or nurse practitioner referral
Brochures and Info
- Cervix Self-Screening and Pap Test - Understanding your Results (BC Cancer)
- Cervix Screening - HPV Results and Colposcopy (BC Cancer)
Associated Programs/Services
Also offered by BC Cancer:
Just the closest matches listed. Click to see more!- Find a Pap Clinic
- Victoria Oncology Intimacy & Sexual Health (VOIS) Clinic
- BC Cancer Patients - Sexual Health Clinic - Vancouver
Availability
Service area: Province-wide + show cities
Ways to Access
- Provided 1:1 in-person
- Provided at multiple locations
The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.