Frequently Asked Questions After a Cervical Screening Test

You will get the result of your cervical screening test by mail. The person who did your test will also get a copy of your result and can answer any questions you may have and talk with you about next steps.

Having a type of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, but you may need an exam called cervical colposcopy (sounds like call-poss-ka-pee).

A normal cervical screening test result means you do not have a type of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer. You should get another cervical screening test in 5 years, unless a doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife says you should do one sooner or that you no longer need to get cervical screening.

People who have had cervical colposcopy (sounds like call-poss-ka-pee) or who have a weakened immune system may need a cervical screening test more often.

People with a weakened immune system include people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as people who take medicine that makes the immune system weaker or who need dialysis. It also includes people with organ or stem cell transplants, lupus or congenital immunodeficiency (born with an immune system defect). If you have had cervical colposcopy or have a weakened immune system, talk to a doctor or nurse practitioner about when you should get your next cervical screening test.

An abnormal cervical screening test result means you have a type of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer. It does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, but it does mean you may need more tests.

If you have questions about an abnormal cervical screening test result, see Understanding Your Cervical Screening Test Result and talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife.

HPV is a virus that is passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Sexual contact includes when someone has contact with another person’s genitals (private parts). This contact can be with the hands, mouth or genitals.

HPV is common and will often go away on its own without doing any harm.

There are more than 100 types of HPV and they can cause changes to the cells of the cervix. With some types of HPV, these cell changes can turn into cervical cancer over time if they are not treated.

An abnormal cervical screening test result means you have a type of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer. Getting more testing can help figure out whether any cell changes in the cervix caused by the HPV need to be treated before they become cervical cancer.

Talk to a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a midwife or the person who did your test about your result and more testing, if needed. Your next steps depend on the type of HPV and type of cell changes found on your cervical screening test:

• You may be asked to repeat your cervical screening test in 2 years. This allows your body time to try to get rid of the HPV on its own.
• Or you may be sent for an exam called a cervical colposcopy.

Cervical colposcopy (sounds like call-poss-ka-pee) is an exam done by a specialist doctor. During cervical colposcopy, the specialist checks the cervix more closely than during a cervical screening test. The specialist uses a bright light and magnifying lens to see if anything does not look normal. Tiny samples of tissue are sometimes taken from the cervix (called a biopsy) and sent to the lab for testing. You do not need to do anything to prepare for colposcopy. The specialist can try to make your colposcopy as comfortable as possible.

You may need more tests or treatment during another cervical colposcopy. There are many ways to successfully treat cell changes in the cervix.

If no other tests or treatment are needed, you may be sent back to your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife for cervical screening.

Getting more tests if you need them is the most important thing you can do. Although there is nothing you can do to get rid of your HPV infection, you can talk to your doctor, your nurse practitioner, your midwife or the person who did your test if you have any questions. You can also visit mycanceriq.ca to find out more about lowering your chance of getting cervical cancer, as well as other cancers.

Getting an abnormal test result can be stressful. But keep in mind that going for regular cervical screening tests can help find types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and early cell changes in the cervix so that they can be treated before they become cancer.