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Cervix Screening

Woman in dr office with cervix self-screening swab

About the Program

BC Cancer Cervix Screening has oversight responsibility for cervix screening in BC. The program reminds healthcare providers when their patients are due for screening, tracks adherence to screening recommendations, and monitors system performance and outcomes of cervix screening activities. 

BC is transitioning from cytology (Pap test) to HPV testing as the primary screening method for cervical cancer. Cervix self-screening is recommended every five years for women and people with a cervix ages 25-69 (or every three years for those who are recommended to have a Pap test).

Screening tests are analyzed and results are provided by the Cervical Cancer Screening Laboratory (CCSL), which is operated by PHSA’s Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services. 

You might be looking for....

 
  • BULLETIN: Cervix Screening in BC: Transitioning from Cytology (Pap Test) to HPV Primary Screening April 2024 (PDF)

 
Who can order self-screening swabs

Health care providers (such as physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, registered nurses) who possess the competencies required to appropriately assess patient eligibility for cervix screening and to support patients with recommended follow-up care, can order the self-screening devices.

How to order self-screening swabs

Starting on January 29th, cervix self-screening swabs will be available on the Cervix Screening Supplies online system  for health care providers or community health clinics to order. This is the same system currently used to order LBC/Pap test supplies. If your clinic has not used the Cervix Screening Supplies online system before, enrol your clinic by completing the Cervix Screening Supplies registration form.

As a reminder, before offering self-screening to a patient, ensure the patient is due and eligible for self-screening to avoid risks associated with over-screening. Please refer to the  Resource Guide for Health Care Providers to become familiar with the eligibility criteria.


 

Program Overview
An overview of the BC Cancer Cervix Screening Program detailing eligibility and screening recommendations.

Cervix Self-Screening at the Clinic Instructions 

Cervix Self-Screen or LBC Sample Collection Algorithm


Cervix Screening Guidelines

Anyone with a cervix, including women and TTGD individuals, age 25 to 69 should get screened regularly for cervical cancer.

Average Risk 

 

Routine screening is not recommended. 

 

‎With a cervix

  • Screen with a vaginal swab or a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample. 
Have or have not received the HPV vaccine
  • Screen with a vaginal swab or a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample. 
Have had any sexual contact with another person of any gender.
  • Screen with a vaginal swab or a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample. 

Pregnant

  • Screen with a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample if screening is due or overdue. Screening is not necessary as a routine part of pre-natal screening for those who are up to date with screening.
  • Self-screening is not recommended for patients who are pregnant. 
Subtotal hysterectomy (cervix not removed), with no prior history of CIN 2, CIN 3, AIS or cervical carcinoma
  • Screen with a vaginal swab or a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample.
Cervix removed and has history of CIN 2, CIN 3 or AIS
  • Screen with a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample from the vaginal vault at 12 months post-hysterectomy. The sample will be tested for both HPV and cytology (cotest). Any positive HPV test or a high-grade or glandular cytology result should be referred directly to colposcopy. After a negative cotest, screening can be discontinued.
Has a neovagina
  • Screening is not recommended.
Never had sexual contact
  • Routine screening is not recommended. Delay screening until initiation of sexual contact. 
Uses a pessary
  • Screen with a provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample.
  • Self-screening is not recommended for patients who are using a pessary.

 
Had a negative HPV screen between age 65 and 69 and under no active surveillance of pre-cursor abnormalities
  • Screening is not recommended.
Inadequate screening history or has not screened in past 5 years and generally well.
  • Screen with a vaginal swab or provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample. Stop routine screening if result is HPV negative. 

High Risk

 
Screen with a vaginal swab or provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample every 3 years.

Stop screening at age 74 if:
  • There has been a negative HPV screening test between age 65 and 69 and under no active surveillance of pre-cursor abnormalities; or
  • Discharged from colposcopy and have had a negative cotest (HPV and cytology testing) at 12-month follow-up.

 
Screen with annual colposcopic evaluation of both the cervix and vagina with a cotest (HPV and cytology testing) until age 69.

 

Discharged from colposcopy

  • At 12-months post-discharge, screen with a cotest (HPV and cytology testing) using a single provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample through primary care provider:
    • If HPV negative and cytology is NILM, ASCUS or LSIL: Routine HPV based screening at 3-year intervals (average risk) or 1-year interval (immunocompromised).
    • If HPV positive or cytology is ASC-H, HSIL or AGC: Re-refer to colposcopy.
  • Stop screening at age 69 (average risk) or age 74 (immunocompromised) if patient has had a negative cotest (HPV and cytology testing) and under no active surveillance of pre-cursor abnormalities. 

 
Discharged from colposcopy
  • At 12-months post-discharge, screen with a cotest (HPV and cytology testing) using a single provider-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample through primary care provider:
    • If HPV negative and cytology is NILM, ASCUS or LSIL: Routine HPVbased screening at 3-year intervals (average risk) or 1-year interval (immunocompromised).
    • If HPV positive or cytology is ASC-H, HSIL or AGC: Re-refer to colposcopy.
  • Stop screening at age 69 (average risk) or age 74 (immunocompromised) if patient has had a negative cotest (HPV and cytology testing) and under no active surveillance of pre-cursor abnormalities.
History of invasive carcinoma and discharged from cancer treatment (surgery or radiation) by oncologist or colposcopy clinic.
  • The patient’s colposcopist or oncologist is responsible for outlining the post treatment follow-up of a patient diagnosed with cervical cancer for the first 5 years.
  • Once discharged, routine screening is not recommended. Ongoing surveillance for recurrence by someone experienced in cervical disease is recommended.

Symptomatic

 

‎Symptomatic, includes:

  • Post coital bleeding
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Persistent vaginal discharge that cannot be explained by benign causes such as infection
Do not screen. The patient should have a speculum examination by someone with experience in gynecologic exams. Referral to a colposcopist is appropriate and may be expedited if the clinical suspicion is high.

Providers can perform a cotest (HPV and cytology testing) with a single provider collected LBC sample. A cotest is not required for referral and referral should not be delayed pending results of the cotest.

Promotions material in clinic
Resources
Find patient education, promotional and program materials.

Cervix screening resources
SOURCE: Cervix Screening ( )
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