Human papillomavirus (HPV) test
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 different types of related viruses. It spreads by intimate skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, oral or anal sexual activity. HPV infections are very common. There is no treatment for HPV and most HPV infections will go away on their own, especially in younger people.
HPV can cause abnormal changes to cells in the oral cavity (mouth), pharynx (throat), cervix, vagina, vulva, penis or anus. High-risk types of HPV can cause precancerous cells or cancers in these areas. Low-risk types of HPV can cause external genital warts or mild precancerous cells.
An HPV test looks at a small sample of cells that have been collected and tests them
for the
Why an HPV test is done
HPV can cause changes to the cells in different parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, cervix, vagina, vulva, penis or anus. HPV tests are used as the main screening method in some provinces and territories. In other regions, the Pap test is used as the screening test.
HPV testing may also be helpful in deciding the follow-up after certain abnormal Pap test results. It may be used for people with a cervix who:
- have atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US)
- have low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)
- have been treated for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)
HPV tests arenʼt currently used to screen for changes in the cells of the mouth, throat, anus or penis.
Find out more about abnormal Pap test results.
Who could benefit from an HPV test?
An HPV test is used to screen for cervical cancer in people who are 25 years of age or older in some provinces or territories.
If an HPV test is used as a cervical screening test in your province or territory, you will need an HPV test every 5 years. If you have a cervix and have ever had sexual contact including sexual intercourse, genital skin-to-skin contact or oral sex with anyone, you should start having regular HPV tests by the time you’re 25. You should continue to be screened for cervical cancer until the age of 70.
Itʼs important to keep getting screened for cervical cancer regularly, even if youʼre not sexually active anymore or if you’ve had an HPV vaccine.
People who have had a total hysterectomy
People who have had a total hysterectomy no longer have a cervix. If you
have had a hysterectomy for a non-cancerous (benign) or
How an HPV test is done
The procedure for an HPV test can be very similar to a Pap test. A swab is used to collect cells from your cervix. The HPV test can also be done using a swab from your vagina. If a swab is used to collect cells from your cervix, there may be some discomfort, pressure or cramping during the procedure, but it isnʼt usually painful.
To collect a sample, the doctor or nurse gently places a speculum in the vagina. A speculum is a clear plastic or metal device. It separates the walls of the vagina so the doctor or nurse can see the upper part of the vagina and cervix.
The doctor or nurse uses a small brush (called a cytobrush or cytobroom) to gently collect cells from the cervix, which leads into the uterus.
After collecting the cells, the doctor or nurse puts them into a container. The sample is sent to a lab where it is tested to see if it contains the DNA or mRNA of high-risk types of HPV.
Self-administered testing for HPV may be available. It might also be called “at-home testing” or “self-sampling.” For self-administered testing, you’ll collect a small sample from the vagina using a swab. Use the instructions that are part of the kit from the screening program. If you feel pain or have trouble collecting your sample, ask a healthcare provider for help.
You may have some light vaginal bleeding for 1 to 2 days after an HPV test.
An HPV test done at home or with a healthcare provider are both effective for cervical cancer screening.
What the results mean
An HPV test will come back as either negative or positive.
A negative HPV test result means that you don’t have a high-risk type of HPV that is linked to precancerous changes in the cervix or cervical cancer. If no HPV is found when you are screened using this test, then you don’t need to be screened for another 5 years. Screening using the HPV test every 5 years is as safe as having a Pap test every 3 years.
A positive HPV test result means that you have one or more high-risk types of HPV that increase the risk of developing precancerous changes in the cervix or cervical cancer. It doesnʼt mean that you have a precancerous change or cancer, but you may need further testing and closer follow–up.
What happens if an HPV test is positive
Your healthcare team will decide if you need more tests. This might include
doing another Pap test or referring you to a specialist in
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