Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer in Ontario can often be prevented. Most cases caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV), and regular cervical screening can find early changes before they become cancer.
Cervical Cancer is nearly 100% preventable
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in Ontario through vaccination and regular screening. By getting screened every five years starting at age 25, you can reduce your risk and catch changes before they become cancer.
Click here to watch Jane's Cervical Cancer video and hear her message about the importance of cervical screening.
HPV Vaccination
Ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner about the HPV vaccination. HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer. You can help lower your risk of cervical cancer by receiving the HPV vaccination.
The Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)
Cervical cancer screening checks for types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. It also checks for cell changes in your cervix.
You need a cervical screening test every 5 years* if you:
- Are a woman, Two-spirit, transmasculine, or nonbinary person with a cervix, and
- Are between the ages 25 and 69 years of age, and
- Have ever had sexual contact with another person, and
- Do not have symptoms, like different bleeding or discharge (clear or yellow fluid) from your vagina (genital opening). These symptoms need to be checked by a healthcare provider, however screening is for people who feel well and have no symptoms.
*Most eligible people should get screened every 5 years. Some eligible people may need to get screened more often based on their medical history, such as those that are immunocompromised. Based on your screening results, you may need to repeat your screening test sooner than every 5 years.
Most people can stop cervical screening between the ages of 65 to 69. Some people may continue to get cervical screening tests after the age of 69 based on their medical history or screening test result history.
Call your family doctor or nurse practitioner to book an appointment for a cervical screening test when you receive your reminder letter from Ontario Health.
Cervical Screening Test Locations Map and Table
Anyone can access cervical screening at the clinics below. If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, or if you would prefer to see someone other than your primary care provider for this test, go to one of these clinics for cervical cancer screening.
Register with Health Care Connect to be connected with a Primary Care Provider in your community: Find a doctor or nurse practitioner | ontario.ca
Use the map below to find a cervical screening test location close to you.
Cervical Cancer Screening Mobile Clinic: Bringing Care Into Your Community
Accessing cervical screening shouldn’t be difficult. That’s why we’re helping reduce common barriers like transportation, time, and access to care by bringing services directly into the community.
Information about screening location and how you can book your appointment are listed below.
| Date | Location | Host Clinic | How to Book | Additional Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Jun | Ajax, Giant Tiger at 570 Westney Rd. S. | Durham Community Health Centre | Call: 905-723-0036 ext. 1236 | ||
| Visit: Check In | Online Booking | |||||
| Same Day Appointment: | |||||
| Call: 905-242-7603 | |||||
| 15-Jul | Oshawa, Durham College. | Durham Community Health Centre | Call: 905-723-0036 ext. 1236 | ||
| Visit: Check In | Online Booking | |||||
| Same Day Appointment: | |||||
| Call: 905-242-7603 | |||||
| 29-Jul | Brock, Sunderland Brock Memorial Arena. | North Durham Family Health Team | Call: | Self-swab is available | |
| 905-985-2895 ext.6070 | *Note: cannot be used as last screen before exiting the program | ||||
| Same Day Appointment: | |||||
| Call: 905-242-7603 | |||||
| Aug. 12 | Claremont, Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre. | North Durham Family Health Team | Call: | Self-swab is available | |
| 905-985-2895 ext.6070 | *Note: cannot be used as last screen before exiting the program | ||||
| Same Day Appointment: | |||||
| Call: 905-242-7603 | |||||
| Aug. 19 | Location TBD | ||||
| Sept. 15 | Pickering, Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. | Durham Community Health Centre | Call: 905-723-0036 ext. 1236 | ||
| Visit: Check In | Online Booking | |||||
| Same Day Appointment: | |||||
| Call: 905-242-7603 | |||||
| Sept. 24 | Location TBD |
Cervical Screening Locations in the Central East Region
| City/Town | Name of Clinic | Address | Contact Information | Booking Appointment Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | Ajax Women's Health Clinic | 300 Rossland Road East, Unit 301 Ajax, ON | Phone: 416-350-1944 Fax: 905-619-1915 Website: www.ajaxwomenshealth.ca *See website for additional women's health services offered | ||
| Campbellford | Campbellford Community Resource Centre - HKPR District Health Unit | 65 Bridge Street East, Campbellford | Phone: 705-653-5161 | Book appointment: https://events.hkpr.on.ca/default/Month?HKPR%20Calendar=Sexual+Health+(by+appointment+only) | |
| Haliburton | Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team - HKPR District Health Unit | 7217 Gelert Road, Haliburton | Phone: 705-457-1212 Hours: Monday - Sunday: 7:30AM - 3:30PM | Book appointment: https://events.hkpr.on.ca/default/Month?HKPR%20Calendar=Sexual+Health+(by+appointment+only) | |
| Lindsay | Reproductive Health and Gynecology Clinic for Non-Urgent Care - Ross Memorial Hospital 
| 10 Angeline Street N, Lindsay, ON | Phone: 705-324-6111 ext. 6075 or 1-800-510-7365 | Referral form: https://www.rmh.org/programs-and-services/reproductive-health-and-gynecology-clinic | |
| Lindsay | City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team - Unattached Care Clinic | 55 Angeline St. North, Lindsay | Clinic Information: Location: 55 Angeline St. North, Lindsay, Suite 2/3 (Giant Tiger Plaza) Dates: Fridays only (Closed on stat holidays) Hours: 9:00am to 2:00pm To Book an Appointment: Call 705-328-9853 Ext. 296 on Fridays between 8:00am to 9:30am. Or (Thursday after 6pm) This clinic sees patients by appointments only | Book appointment: https://cklfamilyhealthteam.com/bebuilder-2766/ | |
| Lindsay | Lindsay - HKPR District Health Unit | 108 Angeline Street South, Lindsay | Phone: Toll-Free: 1-866- 888-4577 After Hours: 1-888-255-7839 Fax: 705-324-0456 Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM Website: www.hkpr.on.ca | Book appointment: https://events.hkpr.on.ca/default/Month?HKPR%20Calendar=Sexual+Health+(by+appointment+only) | |
| Markham (Mobile Clinic) - Services Scarborough Area | Carefirst Mobile Cervical Screening Clinic (Formerly Carefirst Mobile Pap Smear Clinic)   | 105 Gibson Centre, Gibson Drive, Markham, ON | Phone: 416-502-2323 ext. 6193 *Please bring OHIP Card to Appointment Hours: Every Monday of the week (except statutory holidays) from 10:00 AM - 4:00PM Email: idphm@carefirstontario.ca | Book appointment: https://www.picktime.com/carefirstmobilecervicalscreening | |
| Minden | Women's Clinic at the Minden Health Hub | 4575 Deep Bay Road, Minden, ON, K0M 2K0 | Phone: 705-457-1392 ex. 3902 Currently accepting unattached patients for cervical screening | Referral form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9usN7m_HV0WVEd0BqZK0ClOgftHrVshHoBe9RtBP7NtUQTBZMTRYQzNYUTNCRlpCUEhKOVRXNTdUUC4u&route=shorturl | |
| Oshawa | Oshawa Sexual Health Clinic Oshawa Centre (North end of the mall) | 419 King St. W., Office Galleria, Suite 180 Oshawa, ON L1J 2K5 | Phone: 905-433 - 8901 or 1-800-314-8533 Hours:*By appointment only* Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM - 6PM Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM Cervical screening testing for those 25-years-old and over with no OHIP. | ||
| Oshawa | Pap Clinic - Valleyview Harmony | 991 Taunton Road East, Unit B3, Oshawa | Phone: 905-367-5402 | ||
| Oshawa | EMPOWER Women's Health - Glazier Medical Centre | 11 Gibb Street, Oshawa, ON, | Phone: 905-579-1212 extension 567 Fax: 289-731-2067 Website: www.oshawawomenshealth.ca | ||
| Peterborough | Peterborough Health Team - Peterborough Site | 185 King St. Suite 500 (Top floor), Peterborough, ON | Phone: 705-651-4866 Hours: Monday to Friday (*please call for hours) Website: www.peterboroughfht.com | Book appointment: https://ocean.cognisantmd.com/intake/patients.html?linkRef=5edb0d7c-ab97-42e0-9ca0-c68709040338#/online-booking | |
| Peterborough | Peterborough Health Team  | 555 George Street North, Peterborough, ON | Phone: 705-651-4866 Hours: Monday to Thursday ( *please call for hours) Website: www.peterboroughfht.com The PFHT Health Clinic is for Peterborough residents who do not have access to a family doctor. This is not a walk-in clinic. All patients are required to make an appointment. The hours, location and information on this page is subject to change. This is due to the healthcare providers’ availability. An OHIP card is required for an appointment. | Book appointment: https://ocean.cognisantmd.com/intake/patients.html?linkRef=68efe6f3-6cc5-456a-991d-82eb7f32b9c0#/online-booking | |
| Pickering | Pickering Sexual Health Clinic Pickering Town Centre | 1355 Kingston Road, Unit 14A, Lower Level Pickering, ON L1V 1B8 | Phone: 905-420-8781 Hours: *By appointment only* Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM - 6PM Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM Cervical screening testing for those 25-years-old and over with no OHIP. | ||
| Port Hope | Port Hope - HKPR District Health Unit | 200 Rose Glen Road, Port Hope | Phone: 1-866-888-4577 Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM Website: www.hkpr.on.ca | Book appointment: https://events.hkpr.on.ca/default/Month?HKPR%20Calendar=Sexual+Health+(by+appointment+only) |
Abnormal Cervical Screening Test
Having an abnormal cervical screening test result does not mean you have cervical cancer.
Below is a summary of possible results and the next steps.
| No HPV | Repeat screening in 5 years. If you have a weakened immune system, you should be screened every 3 years |
| A lower-risk type of HPV | You should be screened again in 2 years to see if your body has cleared the virus on its own |
| A high-risk type of HPV and/or cell changes on your cervix | You will be referred for a procedure called a colposcopy |
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a procedure done by a gynecologist. During the procedure, the doctor uses a colposcope (a special lighted microscope) to check for any changes to the cells of your cervix.
Abnormal cells are removed from your cervix. This helps to prevent cervical cancer from developing. Small tissue samples may be taken from your cervix and sent to the lab for testing.