Cervical cancer screening in Canada, 2026

HPV testing

On this page:

• Status of HPV primary screening implementation
• Activities to support the transition to HPV primary screening
• Current capacity in which HPV testing is being used
• Use of HPV testing after an abnormal cervical screening test result

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing is increasingly being recognized as the leading approach in cervical cancer screening. The link between the persistent presence of HPV and the risk of developing cervical cancer has been established, making HPV primary screening advantageous as it identifies cervical pre-cancer earlier, resulting in a significantly lower likelihood of cervical cancer compared with Pap test screening. Learn more about HPV testing in Canada and the current state of the Elimination of Cervical Cancer.

Six jurisdictions have partially or fully implemented jurisdiction-wide HPV testing. Additional jurisdictions have plans to implement HPV testing for primary screening. Jurisdictions are currently undergoing activities to support the implementation of HPV primary screening, including developing guidelines and business and operation plans.

Status of HPV primary screening implementation

_{Data current as of February 2026.}

_{*Footnotes:
YT: HPV primary will be made available, but in the absence of an organized program, YT can only offer this through a primary care provider at this time. YT is working towards offering home self-sampling.
NT: A pilot program to mail out self-sampling screening kits is in progress.
ON: In March 2025, Ontario launched self-collected HPV testing with a small number of primary care clinics across the province and will expand access through a phased approach to implementation.
NB: Implementation of the phased-in transition from cytology based testing (Pap) to HPV primary screening, with an option for self-sampling planned to begin in 2026.
PE: Self screening is available at Provincial Cervical Screening Clinics, and in many Medical Homes and health services across PEI.
NL: NL is planning a phased in transition to HPV primary screening in Spring 2026.} 

Definitions

Levels of implementation status (to show incremental implementation progress by jurisdiction):

1. No current HPV primary screening activities: “Status Quo” cervical cancer screening activities.
2. Planning for implementation: Conducting environmental scanning, gathering requirements to determine approach for implementation (i.e., preparing/submitting business cases, forming advisory committees) and/or planning for pilots/programs for HPV primary screening and/or self-sampling.
3. Piloting: Pilot has been implemented to offer HPV primary screening. Pilots include time-bound screening activities that do not have confirmed sustainable funding.
4. Partially implemented: Organized HPV primary screening has rolled out in certain sites or for certain populations across the jurisdiction. Partial implementation includes organized screening being phased-in over a time by gradually increasing capacity of screening sites or if plans are in place to implement organized screening at additional site locations. Partial implementation has secured sustained funding to offer long-term organized screening.
5. Jurisdiction-wide implemented: A fully implemented organized HPV primary screening program, which is available jurisdiction-wide, with or without options for self-sampling and embeds a culturally safe approach to care. Note: An organized program would include elements such as eligibility criteria, quality assurance mechanisms, participant recall, abnormal follow-up, etc.

Activities to support the transition to HPV primary screening

Jurisdictions continue to work towards the transition to HPV primary screening. Activities to support the transition include developing business cases, updating existing infrastructure, developing recommendations and pathways, and implementing pilot programs.

_{Data are current as of February 2026.}

_{*Footnotes:
YT: YT is actively exploring strategic partnerships to develop or offer at-home HPV self-screening options.
BC: BC is considering the following self-sampling and lab assays: Copan FLOQSwabs®, eluded into PreservCyt, COBAS instrument.
PE: PE self-sampling and lab assays in use: Self-vaginal FLOQSwabs® with breakpoint (COPAN HPC146R03 Date 2021.01 — product description), and BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay.}

Current uses of HPV testing
HPV testing is used for primary screening, triage and/or post treatment.

Current capacity in which HPV testing is being used

_{Data are current as of October 2023, except for Ontario which is current as of March 2024. Data for Nunavut and Yukon presented here is from data collected for the 2021-2022 E-Scan. For the most up-to-date information, please reference each jurisdiction’s program website.}

Use of HPV testing after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test result

_{Data are current as of February 2026.}

_{*Footnotes:
YT: YT follows BC algorithm
NT: HPV primary, Pap indicated for high risk HPV positive individuals with other genotypes (not 16/18/31/45)
SK: Implemented HPV reflex (triage) testing of cytology results in 2023}

Abbreviations:

• ASC-US: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
• LSIL: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
• HSIL: high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion