Your Pap Test

We just tested the cells of the cervix, the opening between the vagina and the uterus. The Pap test looks for cells that are not normal and can cause cervical cancer.

Did you know?! Cervical cancer could be eradicated by 2030 if we (men and women) continue to vaccinate for HPV. *Gardasil9

What you must know

  • If you have an account set up with My Health Records Alberta, you may view your results online.
    The clinic will only call to notify you of results if your Pap comes back abnormal.

  • Results take ~2–4 weeks.
    The clinic will only call to notify you of results if your Pap comes back abnormal

  • Your Pap test may come back as normal, abnormal or unsatisfactory.

    • 92% of cervical cancers

    • 75% of anal cancers

    • 57% of penile cancers

    • 72% of vaginal cancers

    • 25% of head and neck cancers

    • 90% of genital warts

  • The best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer is to protect yourself against human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. 

    • Get the HPV Vaccine called Gardasil 9

    • The HPV vaccine is recommended for all people. The best time to vaccinate is before becoming sexually active, usually around age 11 or 12. 

    • If you have not been vaccinated and are sexually active, speak with your health care provider about the vaccine.

    The vaccine is free for anyone under age 26 at Public Health location. Call 811 to find locations. Cost for those over age 26 is +-$200 per dose and a prescription can be obtained from a physician or a prescribing pharmacist. You may also book your vaccine at MAUD.

    • You will still need regular Pap tests because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer.

  • Use condoms. Condoms help reduce the risk of getting HPV. You are less likely to be infected and to infect partners. However, condoms do not prevent all infections. 

    Your sexual partner should also vaccinate with Gardasil 9.

    If you feel you are at risk for a sexually transmitted infection, you should visit your health care provider for testing and an examination. 

    Don’t smoke. The risk of developing cervical cancer increases with the length of time if you smoke and the number of cigarettes smoke per day.

Results Meaning

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Normal / Negative

A normal Pap test result may also be called a negative test result or negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM). You should have another Pap test in 3 years. You may need to come back sooner if you have had abnormal results in the past. 

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Abnormal / Positive

 An abnormal test result may also be called a positive test result. An abnormal Pap test result does NOT necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. Possible abnormal findings on a Pap test include ASC-US, AGC, LSIL, ASC-H, HSIL, AIS, or cervical cancer.
Your health care provider will recommend follow-up steps based on your specific test result and past results. Cervical cells infected with high-risk HPV can change over time and become abnormal. Abnormal cervical cells may also return to normal even without treatment, especially in younger women. 

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Unsatisfactory

Unsatisfactory Pap test result likely means the lab sample may not have had enough cells, or the cells may have been clumped together or hidden by blood or mucus.
Your health care provider will usually ask you to come in for another screening test in 3 to 4 months.

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