Your Pap Test Appointment

your pap test appointment 1

Get screened by booking a Pap test

To be screened for cervical cancer, you need to book a Pap test. A free Pap test is done at your healthcare provider’s office. Make a Pap test appointment with your healthcare provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, please call the SPCC or go here for a list of clinics offering Pap tests.

Preparing for your Pap test

To prepare for cervical screening, you should:

  • Book your Pap test appointment when you are not expecting to have a period. If you are menstruating on the day of your appointment, still go for screening.
  • Avoid sexual intercourse for at least 24 hours before your screening.
  • Avoid using vaginal douches, vaginal medicines, vaginal sprays or powders, or contraceptive creams for at least 24 hours before your screening.
  • Avoid having a Pap test if you are being treated for cervical or vaginal infection. Wait at least two weeks after treatment has ended before having a screening.
  • Empty your bladder before the Pap test.

What happens during a Pap test?

During your Pap test appointment, you will be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on an exam table with your feet on footrests. Allow your knees to fall away from each other.

An instrument called a speculum is inserted into your vagina so your cervix can be seen. Breathe deeply to help calm your muscles. This allows the speculum to be inserted more easily.

You may feel some discomfort, but you should not feel pain. If you feel pain, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.

A small broom-like device is used to collect cells from the cervix. The cells are placed in a vial and sent to a lab for assessment.

What happens after a Pap test?

You can resume your normal activities right after having a cervical screening.

Your health care providers will contact you about your results. The Screening Program for Cervical Cancer will also mail you the results of your tests. You can view your results on MySaskhealthRecord.

Most Pap test results are normal. You can return to your regular cervical screening schedule if you have a normal Pap test result.

If you have an abnormal Pap, your health care provider will contact you for an appointment to discuss your results and any follow-up tests you may need. Most people who have follow-up and/or treatment for an abnormal Pap test result will never get cervical cancer.

Are there symptoms to watch for between cervical screening appointments?

Tell your health care provider immediately if you start bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse, or after menopause.

 

Learn More