Cervical cancer screening
Eligibility, intervals, stopping criteria, and follow-up reminders.
Last reviewed January 4, 2026
- Who to screen
- Asymptomatic people with a cervix ages 25-69 who are or have been sexually active. Do not screen those younger than 20 or ages 20-24, and do not screen people without a cervix, with symptoms, immunocompromise, or unresolved abnormal results.
- Test and interval
- Pap cytology every 3 years (use provincial program test if HPV primary screening is used locally). Confirm prior results and schedule recall at booking.
- Stopping
- Stop at age 70 if three consecutive negative tests were done within the last 10 years. Continue if not adequately screened.
- Follow-up
- Abnormal results should follow provincial algorithms, including colposcopy referral when indicated. Document follow-up and patient contact.
References
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