Did you know that regular screenings can help prevent 90% of cervical cancers?1
A Pap test detects abnormal cervical cells caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). When these abnormal cells are found early, they can be treated before cervical cancer has a chance to develop. Family doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses who are certified in cervical cancer screening can all perform Pap tests.
You can also ask your family doctor about getting the HPV vaccine. This vaccine protects against some of the common, high-risk strains of HPV that can lead to cervical and other types of cancer. This vaccine is part of the school immunization program in Alberta and is available for free for people up to and including age 26 through your local public health or community health centre. If you have questions about this vaccine or are unsure if this vaccine is right for you, talk to your family doctor or visit HealthierTogether.ca.
If you do not have a family doctor, you still have options to get a routine Pap test or take preventative steps against HPV:
- To find a family doctor in your area who is accepting new patients, visit AlbertaFindADoctor.ca.
- For Pap tests or to get more information about the HPV vaccine without a family doctor, visit: The Birth Control Centre.
For more information about cervical cancer screening, including resources for the 2SLGBTQI+ community, visit:
1. https://screeningforlife.ca/cervical/
