After you’ve had your cervical screening test, the sample collected will be sent to the lab to be tested. If high-risk types of HPV are found in your sample, the lab will perform more tests to look for any abnormal changes in the cells of your cervix.

There are a few different ways you may get your results:

• You may hear from your healthcare provider.
• You can contact your healthcare provider if you haven’t heard from them already.
• You can view your test results online if you have a MyChart (formerly MyAHS Connect) account. MyChart is available to all MyHealth Records users.
  • If you have an abnormal or unsatisfactory result, you may also receive a letter by mail.
  • Normal result letters will not be mailed to Albertans who have a MyChart account. If you do not have a MyChart account, you may receive result letters by mail.
• You may also receive a reminder letter when it’s time for your next cervical screening test.

There are 4 possible results:

• Normal (HPV not detected)  
• Abnormal (HPV detected)
• Indeterminate
• Invalid

A normal result means that no high-risk HPV was found in your sample. Your chance of getting cervical cancer is very low.

What should I do next?

If your result is normal, you should continue regular screening every 5 years, every 3 years if you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), or when your healthcare provider tells you it’s time to get screened. You may get a letter to remind you when it is time for your next cervical screening test.

Remember that it’s important to continue screening regularly to reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer. You should screen even if you are no longer sexually active.

An abnormal result means that high-risk HPV was found in your sample. This does not mean you have cancer, but your risk is higher. You’ll need more tests. Most people will clear an HPV infection, and not everyone with an HPV infection will develop cancer.

• If the test finds HPV type 16 or 18, your primary care provider will refer you to see a specialist for a test called colposcopy This test lets the specialist look closely at your cervix.
• If the test finds other high-risk HPV types, the lab will do another test using the same sample. This will help decide if you need to see a specialist or require more tests.

What should I do next?

Depending on your results, you may be asked to repeat your cervical screening test in 12 months, or you may be referred for a colposcopy. Follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

Learn more about colposcopy.

An indeterminate result means that the lab couldn’t tell whether high-risk HPV was present or absent in your sample. This can happen for many reasons. Further tests would be run on the sample.

What should I do next?

Depending on the results of the further tests done at the lab, you may be asked to repeat your cervical screening test in 12 months or you may be referred for a colposcopy.

An invalid result means that the lab couldn’t tell whether high-risk HPV was present or absent in your sample. This may happen for many reasons.

What should I do next?

If this is your first invalid result, you’ll repeat your cervical screening test in 3 months. Please book an appointment with your healthcare provider.

If this is the second invalid result in a row, the lab will do further tests on your sample.

Depending on the findings of the further test, you may be referred to colposcopy or be recommended to repeat cervical cancer screening in 12 months.