Cervical Screening Initiatives

Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable.

Cervical Screening Initiatives aims to improve participation in screening for eligible participants in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Cervical screening is offered by primary health-care providers across the province including family physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses.

About cervical cancer

Infection with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV), acquired through sexual contact causes nearly all types of cervical cancer. The introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2007 will reduce the development of cervical cancer in the long-term. In the meantime, cervical screening (the Pap test) can find early cell changes, before cancer develops, when treatments are available and most likely to be successful.

What is a Pap test?
A Pap test is a simple test that removes a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix. The cells are examined to see if they look normal. The Pap test can find abnormal changes in cells early, before cancer develops.
A routine Pap test (screening test) can find certain types of HPV and early cell changes. Learn more.

If your Pap test is abnormal, it does not mean you have cancer. A doctor or nurse should follow every participant with an abnormal Pap result. It is important to follow up with your provider for your results.

Risk factors

A risk factor is any condition that makes a person more likely to develop a certain disease like cancer. Some risk factors such as diet can be changed while others, like age, cannot.

One of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer is NOT having a regular Pap test.

Other risk factors for cervical cancer include:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system

Ways to help prevent cervical cancer are:

• Regular screening for cervical cancer (Pap test)
• Reduce number of sexual partners
• Reduce/quit smoking
• Use barrier method of contraception such as condoms
• Delay age of sexual intercourse

Who should be screened for cervical cancer?

• Routine screening is recommended for sexually active, average risk participants aged 25 to 69.
• For participants who are symptomatic, Pap Smear with HPV should be ordered to rule out cervical abnormalities.
• Participants with abnormal pap history should continue cervical screening as recommended by their health-care provider.

Booking a cervical screening test

Talk to your health-care provider about your cervical screening test or call one of the following:

• Toll free: 1-833-752-4694/ 1-866-643-8719
• Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone: 1-709-897-3116

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer develops in the neck of the uterus or womb. It is caused by persistent infection with the common virus called human papilloma virus(HPV). Most women will come into contact with HPV in their lifetime. For some women the infection will resolve, for others the infection persists and the cells of the cervix begin to change. Changes in the cervical cells can be found with routine Pap tests.

Where can I get a Pap test?

Talk to your health-care provider about your routine cervical screening test. If you do not have a regular health-care provider, there are many clinics across the province that will see women for Pap testing. Please see the section Booking a cervical screening test

Do I need a Pap test if I have had a hysterectomy (womb removed)?

Those who have had a hysterectomy need to discuss their screening status with their regular health-care provider or specialist. If the hysterectomy was for benign reasons (not cancer) and the cervix was removed, screening is no longer needed. If the person had a hysterectomy for a cancer diagnosis, screening continues, as determined by the health-care provider. If they had a sub total hysterectomy for benign reasons and the cervix remains, routine screening continues.

Should I still be screened after 70 years of age?

If a participant has a routine screening history with no high grade abnormal Pap tests, and has had at least three Pap tests in the past ten years, screening may stop. If a participant has any risk factors, or has had a high grade Pap history, screening continues.

How do I get my screening results?

Your health-care provider will discuss how to get your results. Some health-care providers will call, send letters or recall you to notify you of your results. You may also view your results through the MyHealthNL app. It is important that participants with abnormal Pap test results have follow up care.

If I have had the HPV vaccine, do I need to have the cervical screening test?

Yes, it is important to continue with regular cervical screening beginning at age 25 even if you have had the HPV vaccine.

How does smoking increase my risk of cervical cancer?

Cigarette smoke contains many cancer-causing substances, or carcinogens. They affect many parts of the body. Researchers have found by-products of cigarette smoke in cells lining the cervix in women who smoke. They believe that these harmful substances may damage the cells and allow an HPV infection to stay in the body. The longer you smoke and the more cigarettes you smoke each day, the more your risk increases.