People whose cervical screening result is unsatisfactory (that is, the lab could not process the test) will receive one of the following letters:
Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 1
March 3, 2025
JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1
PLEASE REPEAT YOUR TEST
Dear JANE SAMPLE:
Thank you for doing your cervical screening test, which checks for types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Your test shows that you have a type of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer, but we could not tell from your test whether the HPV has changed any cells in your cervix.
It is important to know whether HPV has changed the cells in your cervix because these cell changes may turn into cervical cancer over time.
Please make an appointment as soon as you can with your doctor, your nurse practitioner or the person who did your cervical screening test so you can repeat the test.
If you have already made an appointment, thank you and please ignore this letter.
See the back of this letter or visit ontariohealth.ca/do-cervical-test for more information.
Sincerely,
Judy Linton, RN, BScN, MHSc
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix. The cervix is a body part that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (genital opening).
Can I do something to get rid of my HPV?
No. HPV often goes away on its own. If it does not, there are ways to treat the health problems that HPV can cause. For example, if someone has HPV for many years, it can sometimes cause changes in the cells of the cervix. The good news is these cell changes can be treated before they cause cervical cancer.
When and how did I get HPV?
There is usually no way to know when a person gets HPV. Someone can have HPV for many years without knowing it. People get HPV when another person has sexual contact with their genitals (private parts). This contact can be with the hands, mouth or genitals. HPV is very common and most people will get HPV at least once in their lifetime.
Do I need to stop having sexual contact if I have HPV?
You can still have sexual contact if you have HPV. Talk to a doctor or nurse practitioner, or go to a sexual health clinic if you have questions.
What if I already repeated the test?
Your doctor, nurse practitioner or the person who did your cervical screening test will talk with you about seeing a specialist for cervical colposcopy (sounds like call-poss-ka-pee). If you go for colposcopy, the specialist will check your cervix more closely than during a cervical screening test.
Does my doctor or nurse practitioner know about my test result?
Your result was sent to the person who did your test.
Who should I talk to if I have questions about my test result?
Talk to your doctor, your nurse practitioner or the person who did your test if you have any questions about your result.
Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Cette lettre personnalisée est disponible en français en appelant le 1.866.662.9233
To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the form at ontariohealth.ca/screening-letters or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. You may change your mind at any time.
Your privacy matters: visit ontariohealth.ca/screening-privacy
OCSPNTFUCYT10325
Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 2
March 3, 2025
JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1
PLEASE REPEAT YOUR TEST
Dear JANE SAMPLE:
Thank you for doing your cervical screening test, which checks for types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus that can sometimes cause cervical cancer.
I am writing to let you know that we could not get a result from your test. I am sorry this happened. This is not a cause for concern, but it does mean you need to repeat the test.
Please make an appointment as soon as you can with your doctor, your nurse practitioner or the person who did your cervical screening test so you can repeat the test.
If you have already made an appointment, thank you and please ignore this letter.
See the back of this letter or visit ontariohealth.ca/cervical-test for more information.
Sincerely,
Judy Linton, RN, BScN, MHSc
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix. The cervix is a body part that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (genital opening).
Does my doctor or nurse practitioner know that I need to repeat the test?
The person who did your test was told that you need to repeat the test.
What if I already repeated my test?
Your doctor, nurse practitioner or the person who did your cervical screening test will talk with you about seeing a specialist for cervical colposcopy (sounds like call-poss-ka-pee). If you go for colposcopy, the specialist will check your cervix more closely than during a cervical screening test.
Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Cette lettre personnalisée est disponible en français en appelant le 1.866.662.9233
To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the form at ontariohealth.ca/screening-letters or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. You may change your mind at any time.
Your privacy matters: visit ontariohealth.ca/screening-privacy
OCSPNTFIHPV10325
Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 3
March 3, 2025
JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1
ABOUT YOUR TEST RESULT
Dear JANE SAMPLE:
Thank you for doing your cervical screening test, which checks for types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus that can sometimes cause cervical cancer.
I am writing to let you know that we could not get a result from your test. I am sorry this happened. This is not a cause for concern, but you may need to repeat the test.
Please make an appointment as soon as you can with your doctor, your nurse practitioner or the person who did your cervical screening test to talk about next steps
If you have already made an appointment, thank you and please ignore this letter.
See the back of this letter or visit ontariohealth.ca/cervical-test for more information.
Sincerely,
Judy Linton, RN, BScN, MHSc
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix. The cervix is a body part that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (genital opening).
Does my doctor or nurse practitioner know that you could not get a result from my test?
The person who did your test was told that we could not get a result from your test.
Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Cette lettre personnalisée est disponible en français en appelant le 1.866.662.9233
To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the form at ontariohealth.ca/screening-letters or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. You may change your mind at any time.
Your privacy matters: visit ontariohealth.ca/screening-privacy
OCSPNTFR0325