In Alberta, Pap test is available for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49.

It’s important to begin having regular Pap tests starting at age 25, or 3 years after becoming sexually active, whichever is later. For example:

• If you’re under 25 and are sexually active: You don’t need to start having Pap tests until you’re 25.
• If you’re not sexually active until 25: You don’t need to start having Pap tests until you’re 28.

Remember that being sexually active doesn’t mean only intercourse. It refers to any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, including touching, oral sex or intercourse with a partner of any sex. Once you start regular Pap tests, you should keep getting screened until you’re at least 49 years old, even if you’re going through menopause. Some women may feel they don’t need Pap tests. But you should still have regular Pap tests even if:

• You feel healthy and have no symptoms of cervical cancer
• You’re no longer sexually active
• You’ve only had 1 sexual partner
• You’re in a same-sex relationship
• You’ve had the HPV vaccine
• You’ve been through menopause
• You have no family history of cervical cancer
• You’ve had a hysterectomy and still have your cervix*
• You’ve had cervical cancer in the past

*If you’ve had a hysterectomy, speak to your healthcare provider about whether you still need to be screened.

No matter what, if you’ve ever been sexually active, it’s never too late to start having Pap tests.

Unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise, here are some guidelines:

• After your first Pap test, plan to have a Pap test once every 3 years: Screening every year gives very little extra protection compared to having a Pap test every 3 years. Having Pap tests too often can lead to diagnosis of cell changes in the cervix that would likely go away on their own. This results in follow-up testing that isn’t needed.
• Once you turn 50, you’ll start having the cervical screening test (HPV test) instead of a Pap test. If you’re between 50 and 69, you’ll usually have the HPV test every 5 years or every 3 years if you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised).
• After age 70, you can stop having cervical cancer screening if:
  • You’ve not had any serious abnormal cell changes in the past, and
  • Your last three Pap tests within the past 10 years were normal, or your HPV test after age 65 was normal.

If you experience any changes between Pap tests, such as bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse or after menopause, tell your healthcare provider right away.

Do I Really Need a Pap Test [brochure]

A Pap test is one of the screening tests for cervical cancer in Alberta. A Pap test (or what some used to call Pap smears) checks the cells of your cervix, to make sure there are no abnormal cells. Abnormal cells can change over time and become cancerous without pain or symptoms. It’s a quick test done in your healthcare provider’s office or at a women’s health clinic. A sample of cells is taken from your cervix and sent to the lab. The lab checks the sample for any abnormal cells that may lead to cancer. A Pap test doesn’t test for other cancers or sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Pap tests only take a few minutes and are done right in your healthcare provider’s office or at a women’s health clinic.

How should I prepare for a Pap test?

Before your Pap test, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Try to make your appointment for a day when you won’t have your period. If you have any abnormal bleeding, make an appointment with your healthcare provider right away.
• Don’t douche or use contraceptive creams or jellies in the 24 hours before the test.
• Don’t have sexual intercourse in the 24 hours before the test.
• Avoid using personal lubricants in the 48 hours before the test.

How is a Pap test is done?

You’ll be given a gown or sheet and asked to undress from the waist down. Typically you’ll be asked to lie on your back on an examination table and put your feet up on stirrups or to bend your knees. Your healthcare provider will then gently insert an instrument, called a speculum, into your vagina so that the cervix can be seen. A small spatula or brush will then be used to collect a sample of cells from your cervix to send to the lab. While you may feel a little discomfort, it shouldn’t be painful. It may help to take a few deep breaths to relax and reduce tension in your body. Your sample will then be sent to the lab to be examined.

Your Pap test results will be sent directly to your healthcare provider and you’ll receive a result letter by mail from the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Alberta Health Services. It’s normal to feel a little nervous or unsure about having a Pap test.  Talking to your healthcare provider first may help to put you at ease.

Watch this short video to learn more about what to expect during a Pap test (Credit:  BC Cancer Agency) 

As with any procedure, there are both benefits and risks; you might think of these as pros and cons. It’s important to be aware of them before having any test so that you can make an informed decision. While no screening test is 100% accurate, scientific evidence shows that having regular Pap tests lowers your risk of dying from cervical cancer.

Benefits of getting a Pap test

• Regular Pap tests check for cervical cell changes, which can be followed closely to make sure they clear up.
• 90% of cervical cancer can be prevented with early treatment.
• If abnormal cells are found, they can be treated early, which may mean less treatment and less time spent recovering.
• The earlier cervical cancer is found, the better your chance of survival.

Risks of getting a Pap test

Pap tests are generally very safe. However, as with any procedure, there are some risks.

• There’s a chance the Pap test can miss abnormal cell changes, even when they’re present (false negative).
• There’s a chance the Pap test can suggest abnormal cell changes, even when there are none (false positive).
• When abnormal cell changes are found, some women may receive more tests or treatment even though the cell changes may never have developed into cancer.

Given how important it is to find cancer early, the benefits of having a Pap test outweigh the risks. However, it’s your decision. It’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the benefits and risks of Pap tests.

All you have to do is make an appointment to have a Pap test at your healthcare provider’s or at a women’s health clinic. If needed, you can visit Where to Get Screened to find a location close to you to have a Pap test.