Cervical Cancer Screening

Screening for Cervical Cancer

Screening is testing done on people who are at risk of getting cancer, but who have no symptoms and generally feel fine. The cervix is a body part that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (genital opening). Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix. The goal of cervical screening is to find cell changes in the cervix before they become cancer. 


As of March 2025, cervical screening testing has replaced pap tests as the primary cervical cancer screening that checks for types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer. The test also checks for cell changes in the cervix caused by these types of HPV.

Accessing screening in Northumberland

Make an appointment with your doctor or nurse practitioner. If you do not have a doctor or nurse practitioner, you can register for Health Care Connect at 1-800-445-1822 or visit the Health Care Connect website.   Cervical screening tests are available by appointment through the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Sexual Health Clinics. For appointment bookings and locations, or to speak to a Sexual Health Nurse, call 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1205 or visit HKPR Sexual Health Clinics.

When to get screened

You need a cervical screening test every 5 years* if you:

  • Are a woman, Two-spirit, transmasculine, or nonbinary person with a cervix, and
  • Are between the ages 25 and 69 years of age, and
  • Have ever had sexual contact with another person, and
  • Do not have symptoms, like different bleeding or discharge (clear or yellow fluid) from your vagina (genital opening). 


*Most eligible people should get screened every 5 years. Some eligible people may need to get screened more often based on their medical (example: those that are immunocompromised) or screening history (example: HPV positive test results). 


Most people can stop cervical screening between the ages of ages 65 to 69. Some people may continue to get cervical screening tests after the age of 69 based on their medical history or screening test result history.


Eligible people need to get cervical cancer screening even if they:

  • Feel healthy and have no symptoms
  • Are no longer sexually active
  • Have only had 1 sexual partner
  • Are in a same-sex relationship
  • Have been through menopause
  • Have no family history of cervical cancer
  • Have received the HPV vaccine



People who have had a hysterectomy should talk to their doctor or nurse practitioner to see if they need to continue cervical screening.

About screening: Cervical Cancer Screening

The cervical screening test checks for types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can sometimes cause cervical cancer. It also checks for cell changes in the cervix caused by these types of HPV.

The cervical screening test:


  • Has replaced the Pap test because it is better at helping prevent cervical cancer. The Pap test only checked for cell changes in the cervix, but the cervical screening test can check for cancer-causing types of HPV and cell changes.


  • Does not check for:
  • other types of HPV that do not cause cancer
  • other cancers in the reproductive organs, such as ovarian cancer
  • sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or HIV/AIDS



  • Feels like getting a Pap test. A doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife will use a small, soft brush to take cells from the cervix so the lab can test the cells for types of HPV and cell changes. The person doing the test can try to make the test as comfortable as possible.


You will get the results of your cervical screening test by mail. The person who did your test will also get a copy of your results and can answer any questions you may have. They can talk with you about next steps.


To learn more about what happens after your cervical screening test, see Frequently Asked Questions After a Cervical Screening Test.

About the Ontario Cervical Screening Program

The Ontario Cervical Screening Program is an organized screening program run by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) and the Government of Ontario. The program’s goal is to reduce the risk of developing or dying from cervical cancer by increasing the percentage of people with a cervix (women, transmasculine and nonbinary people) who get screened regularly and who have timely and appropriate follow-up of abnormal results. 

Helpful Resources


Looking for services outside of our community? Visit checkforcancer.ca


Helpful websites:

Information source

Cancer Care Ontario. Cervical Cancer Screening. Cancer Care Ontario, Ontario Health. Last accessed February 2, 2023. 

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