CERVICAL SCREENING GUIDELINES ACROSS PROVINCES & TERRITORIES IN CANADA

When to start: Age 25 or 3 years after becoming sexually active, whichever is later. If you’re between the ages of 25 and 69, you’re automatically included in the program. If you haven’t already had a Pap test in Alberta, the ACCSP will send you a letter inviting you to get screened.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 69, if 3 tests were done within the last 10 years and were negative.

See these recommendations from Alberta Health Services

When to start: Age 25 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 69 if your results have always been negative.

See these recommendations on British Columbia’s Health Link BC 

When to start: Age 21 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 69 if your results have always been negative.

See these recommendations from Cancer Care Manitoba

When to start: Age 21 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 69 if your results have always been negative.

See these recommendations from New Brunswick’s Ministry of Health

Newfoundland and Labrador flag

Newfoundland and Labrador  | CERVICAL SCREENING LOCATIONS NEAR ME

When to start: Age 21 if you are or have been sexually active.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 70 if your results have always been negative.

See these recommendations from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Eastern Health

Northwest Territories flag

Northwest Territories  | CERVICAL SCREENING LOCATIONS NEAR ME

When to start: Age 21 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Yearly until you have had three normal Pap tests in a row. Then, the frequency can be changed to once every 2 years.

When to stop: Age 69, if 3 tests were done within the last 10 years and were negative or 3 annual negative test results.

See these recommendations from Northwest Territories Ministry of Health 

When to start: Age 25 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 70 ONLY if you have had an adequate negative screening history in the previous ten years (i.e. three or more negative tests).

See these recommendations from Nova Scotia’s Ministry of Health

When to start: Age 21 if you are or have been sexually active.

How often: Every 2 years after 3 consecutive annual negative results tests.

When to stop: Age 70 if you have had 3 or more negative tests in the previous 10 year.

See these recommendations from Nunavut’s Ministry of Health

When to start: Age 21 if you are or have been sexually active.

How often: Every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 70 if you have had an adequate negative screening in the previous 10 years or 3 annual negative test results (i.e. 3 or more negative tests).

See these recommendations from Ontario’s Ministry of health

Prince Edward Island flag

Prince Edward Island  | CERVICAL SCREENING LOCATIONS NEAR ME

When to start: Age 25 if you are or have been sexually active.

How often: Every 5 years.

When to stop: Age 65 if you have had negative screening history in the previous 10 years.

*If your last test was a routine pap that proved normal, book an HPV test for three years from your last pap. If your first HPV test is normal you can return for your next HPV test in five years.

See these recommendations from Prince Edward Island’s Health PEI

When to start: Age 21 if you are or have been sexually active.

How often: Every 2-3 years.

When to stop: Age 65 if you have had 2 negative tests in the previous 10 years.

See these recommendations the Ministry of Health and Social Services

When to start: Age 21 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Every 2 years if you have had 3 consecutive negative yearly test results. Then, every 3 years.

When to stop: Age 69 if you have had 3 negative tests in the last 10 years or 3 annual negative test results.

See these recommendations from Saskatchewan Health Authority

When to start: Age 25 or 3 years after becoming sexually active.

How often: Every 2 years if you have had 3 consecutive negative yearly test results.

When to stop: Age 69 if you have had 3 negative tests in the last 10 years or 3 annual negative test results.