Cervical cancer is easy to miss if you don’t get screened. It usually grows very slowly and has no symptoms in its early stages. Before cervical cancer, develops, the cells in the cervix start to change and become precancerous. Getting screened for cervical cancer is the only way to find these precancerous cells. It’s also the best way to catch cervical cancer when it’s most treatable.

Screening for Cervical Cancer

All women need to be screened for cervical cancer every 1 to 2 years after they turn 18 or become sexually active. There are 2 ways your doctor can test for cervical cancer:

• Pap test: a laboratory examination of cells taken from your cervix to detect abnormal changes.
• Pelvic examination: A physical examination where your doctor feels your pelvic organs for anything unusual.

For cervical cancer screening program details or to book an appointment call:

PEI Pap Screening Clinic: 1-866-818-7277

For general cancer screening information call:

Cancer Information Service: 1-888-939-3333

Visit cancer.ca for more information about cervical cancer.