Primary Care Alberta is expanding cervical screening tests. (Image Credit: Primary Care Alberta)

By David Opinko

Alberta boosting cervical screenings, moving away from routine pap tests

Jan 12, 2026 | 1:04 PM

Primary Care Alberta (PCA) hopes to eliminate cervical cancer by boosting screenings.

It is now routinely offering cervical screening tests to Albertans aged 50-69 to check for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer.

They consider the cervical screening test to be the new standard for cervical screening in the province.

A news release from PCA states that cervical cancer is preventable and almost always caused by HPV.

“Scientific evidence indicates HPV testing is the more effective way to identify cervical cancer, and many provinces and territories are already transitioning to this approach instead of pap tests for routine cervical screening,” says PCA.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The agency says most people who have HPV do not realize that they have it, as there are often no symptoms.

While a majority of HPV infections are cleared by the body, certain types of HPV do not clear and can cause cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer.

Dr. Carolyn O’Hara, Interim Chief Laboratory Officer at Alberta Precision Labs, says that by testing for high-risk HPV types that cause cervical cancer, patients who are at risk can be identified earlier and more accurately.

“This change strengthens the quality of cervical cancer screening across the province and supports better outcomes for patients through timely, evidence-based testing,” says O’Hara.

PCA is planning to expand cervical screening tests for Albertans aged 25-49.

This group is currently offered regular pap tests, which check for abnormal cells in the cervix that can lead to cancer.

Pap tests are recommended every three years, while cervical cancer screening tests are recommended every five years.

Once the new cervical screening test has been expanded to those in the younger age group, Alberta will no longer offer routine Pap tests.

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventive Health Services, says Alberta is proud to lead the way in adopting high-risk HPV testing as the new standard for cervical cancer screening.

This transition reflects our commitment to evidence-based healthcare and ensures that Albertans receive the most accurate and timely screening available,” says LaGrange. “By identifying those at risk earlier, we are taking a significant step toward eliminating cervical cancer and supporting the lifelong health of our communities.”

The cervical screening test is done by a healthcare provider and takes a few minutes. A sample is collected in the same way as a Pap test and sent to the lab for testing.

Contact your healthcare provider’s office or a women’s health clinic to book an appointment to get screened. If you do not have a healthcare provider, such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner:

• Visit Alberta Find a Doctor, or
• Use the screeningforlife.ca locator tool and select “cervical” as the type of test to find screening options near you, or
• Call Health Link at 811.

It’s important to continue to get screened, even if:

• You feel healthy and have no symptoms of cervical cancer.
• You’ve only had one sexual partner.
• You’ve had the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
• You’ve been through menopause.
• You’re no longer sexually active.

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. For more information on cervical cancer screening, visit screeningforlife.ca/cervical.