Important Update on Cervical Cancer Screening in Ontario

We want to inform our patients about an important change to the cervical cancer screening guidelines in Ontario, which may affect how you are screened in the future. The province has recently updated its screening recommendations to improve early detection and better protect your health.

What's Changing?

Starting from March 3, 2025, the cervical cancer screening program in Ontario will be shifting to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing as the primary method of screening, instead of the traditional Pap (cytology) test. The new guidelines recommend that individuals with a cervix, aged 25 to 69, will now be screened for HPV every 5 years, rather than every 3 years.

Criteria for HPV Testing

The new guidelines for HPV testing apply to individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • Have a cervix

  • Are over the age of 25

  • Have ever been sexually active in any form

If you meet these criteria, you will be eligible for the new HPV testing guidelines. If you have any concerns or are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us to discuss your individual case.

What is HPV Testing?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing looks for the presence of high-risk types of HPV, which can cause changes to the cells of the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. By testing for HPV, we are able to detect any risks earlier, allowing for better prevention and follow-up care if necessary.

Advantages of HPV Testing

HPV testing offers several key advantages:

  1. Higher Sensitivity: HPV testing is better at detecting cervical pre-cancer or cancer than cytology (Pap) testing alone. This means it's more effective at identifying potential issues early.

  2. Objective Results: HPV testing provides highly consistent and reproducible results, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability in screening.

  3. High Negative Predictive Value: HPV testing has a high negative predictive value, meaning that negative results are more likely to accurately identify individuals who do not have cervical pre-cancer or cancer and will not develop cervical cancer in the next 5 years.

  4. Earlier Discharge from Colposcopy: HPV testing allows for earlier and more appropriate discharge from colposcopy, a procedure that may have been previously required for certain abnormal results, reducing unnecessary procedures.

What Does This Mean for You?

  1. Your next screening will be done differently: If you are due for a cervical cancer screening, you will be tested for HPV instead of a Pap (cytology) test. You can expect this test to occur every 5 years, as long as your results remain normal and you are within the appropriate age group. Please note the actual procedure is conducted the same way as a traditional pap exam by the doctor in office - we do not offer self HPV swabs at this time.

  2. If you have had an abnormal pap smear in the past and/or have had to have colposcopy  in the past: Please discuss with your doctor your individual case to get guidance on your cervical screening interval and type of test.

Why the Change?

The decision to move to HPV testing every 5 years is based on extensive research and evidence showing that HPV testing is more accurate and effective in preventing cervical cancer than the Pap test alone. The new guidelines will help reduce the risk of cervical cancer, while also ensuring a more convenient screening schedule for individuals.

What Should You Do Next?

  • If you are due for a screening, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

  • If you have any questions or concerns about the changes in the cervical cancer screening program, feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to assist you and ensure you feel comfortable with the process.

Special Considerations for Immunocompromised Individuals:

Certain populations may be at a higher risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer, and therefore need more frequent screening. If you are in one of the following immunocompromised categories, you may need to screen every 3 years if your last HPV test was negative:

  • People living with HIV/AIDS, regardless of CD4 cell count

  • People with congenital (primary) immunodeficiency

  • Transplant recipients (solid organ or allogeneic stem cell transplants)

  • People requiring treatment (either continuously or at frequent intervals) with medications that cause immune system suppression for three years or more

  • People living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), regardless of whether they are receiving immunosuppressant treatment

  • People living with renal failure and requiring dialysis

If you fall into any of these categories, we recommend discussing your screening schedule with your doctor to ensure you are receiving the appropriate care.

Changes to fees for Non-Insured Services

We want to inform you of increases to the fees for non-insured services (services not covered by OHIP), in accordance with the Ontario Medical Association’s 2025 guidelines. These changes are effective Monday, February 3rd.

Non-insured services include but are not limited to:

  • Attending Physician Statement forms

  • Insurance forms

  • Driver’s Medical Exams

  • Travel Medicine consults and Prescriptions

  • Sick Notes

  • Physio/Orthotics and Massage Therapy notes

  • Prescription Renewals requested without an appointment.

We understand these changes may impact your planning and we want to ensure that you are fully informed. Please contact our office if you have any questions about the fee adjustments, or if you need clarification on whether a particular service is considered non-insured.

For a full list of non-insured services, please refer to the Ontario Medical Association Uninsured Services Guide: https://www.oma.org/siteassets/oma/media/pagetree/pps/billing/uninsured-services/uninsured-services-guide-final.pdf).

Thank you for your understanding and continued trust in our practice. We remain committed to providing you with the best care possible.

Appointment booking

Please avoid calling on Monday mornings for non-urgent matters such as returning calls, immunization records requests, test results etc. If you get put on hold when you call, there may be a wait, but you are in a queue. If you hang up and try calling again, you will go to the bottom of the queue and your wait will be longer.

Please remember we have IN PERSON appts available for booking online with Medeo. Ensure you book with your own doctor, or your appointment request will be declined.

It is your responsibility to remember your booked appointment, we do not send reminders.

Rethinking the Annual Physical

We are no longer doing “Annual Physicals”. We encourage all of our patients to read about this change here: We're rethinking the way we do the ANNUAL PHYSICAL (cfpc.ca) (website: The College of Family Physicians of Canada and Choosing Wisely Canada).

In its place, we are now using a customized approach to your health and booking 15 minute Periodic Health Reviews where you can have a conversation with your doctor about your overall health, renew medications, and ensure you are up to date with vaccines and screening tests such as pap smears, mammograms, and colon cancer screening etc. Your doctor will also let you know whether you need any other focused testing such as bloodwork based on your unique risk factors, health conditions, age, and lifestyle.

Please note if you ARE having any acute symptoms or new health concerns, this should NOT be booked as a periodic health review but as a regular appointment so your acute medical issue can be taken care of in a timely manner.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

We are implementing a charge of $25.00 for appointments with our Nurse that are missed without cancellation. Please call our office if you are unable to attend your booked appointment.

We continue to charge $50.00 for appointments with our Doctors that are missed without cancellation. This includes both IN PERSON and VIDEO appointments.

It is your responsibility to remember your booked appointment, we do not send reminders.