Cervical cancer is preventable. Yet year after year, about 500 women are diagnosed with cancer of the cervix, and about 150 women die from this disease in Ontario. Furthermore, up to 60,000 women each year learn that they have abnormal Pap tests that require assessment and/or treatment.

Regular screening is an essential defense against cervical cancer. Cervical screening can detect early cell changes on the cervix caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. These changes can progress to cancer if not found and treated. Since HPV infections seldom cause any symptoms, screening is the only way to detect changes that might lead to cancer.

For the first time, we have a vaccine that can block HPV infections before they occur. However, HPV vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening. Even if vaccinated, women still need regular Pap tests because the vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing HPV strains. With regular Pap tests and HPV vaccine, it is possible to prevent cervical cancer.

Cancer of the cervix

The cervix is at the top of the vagina and is the opening to the uterus. The cervix is made up of cells, the building blocks of our bodies. In many women, cells on the cervix can change from healthy to unhealthy. Typically, the unhealthy cells change back to healthy cells on their own.

In other instances, unhealthy cell changes are the first step that can lead to cancer of the cervix. The good news is that almost all cancers of the cervix can be stopped when early cell changes are found and treated. A regular Pap test can show cell changes that can be treated before they become cancer.

All women need a regular Pap test within three years of starting any kind of sexual activity.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Testing

HPV is a very common family of viruses found in both males and females. HPV infection can occur with only one exposure from a partner with HPV. Some HPV types can lead to cervical cancer if persistent HPV infections and early cell changes are not found and treated. Other HPV types can cause ordinary and genital warts, but rarely cause cancer. Most infections caused by HPV will go away on their own.

The HPV test is used to identify women with high-risk (or cancer causing) HPV and who may require an additional procedure (colposcopy). While there is currently insufficient evidence to support replacing Pap testing with the HPV test for cervical cancer screening, evidence supports using the HPV test as a follow up for women with abnormal Pap tests.