Adapted from Ontario Health HPV Fact Sheet - What you should know about cervical screening.
Cervical screening means checking for cervical cancer in order to catch any cancer related changes early and start prevention and treatment early. It is an important part of routine health care for anyone with a cervix (women, transmasculine and non-binary people) and helps to prevent cervical cancer.
The cervix is the part of the body that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (genital opening). Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Having a family history of cervical cancer does not increase your risk.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable with the HPV vaccine, regular cervical screening, and timely follow-up of abnormal results.
Cervical screening is covered by OHIP, so there is no cost.
What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is passed from one person to another. It can be transmitted to the genitals through sexual contact. Sexual contact can include any time another person has contact with your genitals (private parts).
What is the cervical screening test?
The cervical screening test checks for HPV types that can cause cervical cancer and for cell changes in the cervix.
When to get screened
The Ontario Cervical Screening Program recommends that anyone with a cervix (woman, Two-Spirit person, transmasculine person or nonbinary person) who has been sexually active start screening at age 25 and continue every 5 years. Most people can stop screening between ages 65 and 69. It is best to consult with your healthcare provider about when to get screened.
Click here to learn more about when to get screened.
Where to get screened
The cervical cancer screening program runs out of our clinic. The cervical screening test (HPV test) feels like getting a Pap test. Your primary care provider or a nurse will insert a speculum into the vagina, you may feel a bit of pressure. After, they will use a small, soft brush to take cells from the cervix so that the lab can test the cells for types of HPV and cell changes.
Please book your cervical cancer screening with your primary care provider. If your primary care provider is not available to do your cervical cancer screening, you can also book your cervical screening test through our Cervical Screening Clinic run by our Registered Nurses.
If your test results are abnormal, we will contact you to make a plan for next steps.
HPV and HPV Vaccine
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus and is a virus transmitted between humans. Some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. HPV infections of the genitals can cause cell changes in the cervix that may turn into cancer before you feel any symptoms.
Getting the HPV vaccine helps protect against cervical cancer and genital warts caused by HPV. Getting the vaccine before becoming sexually active provides the greatest protection. The vaccine may also protect against future HPV infections if you are already sexually active, as the vaccine protects against 9 different types of HPV.
Ontario students in Grade 7 can get the vaccine for free through a school-based HPV vaccination program. Students have until the end of grade 12 to complete their HPV immunization series, should they have missed any doses of the HPV vaccine in grade 7.
The HPV vaccine is available outside of the school program for a cost. Some private health plans cover the cost of the vaccine.
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner to see if the HPV vaccine is right for you.
Online Resources
Cancer Ontario HPV Testing Fact Sheet – Updated Guidelines 2025
Human papillomavirus (HPV) - Public Health Agency of Canada HPV Vaccine
Edited March 2025