Nearly 3-quarters of Ontario Women Hold Incorrect Belief That a Pap Test Detects Sexually-transmitted Infections
April 11, 2016
Nearly 3-quarters (74%) of Ontario women incorrectly believe a Pap test detects sexually-transmitted infections and almost half (48%t) believe a Pap test screens for vaginal cancer, shows a new survey commissioned by Cancer Care . The survey also found that almost half (49%) of women surveyed don’t know that cervical cancer is preventable.
In 2015, approximately 640 women in Ontario were diagnosed with cervical cancer and an estimated 150 died from the disease. This April, Cancer Care Ontario has partnered with the Canadian to raise awareness about cervical cancer prevention and the importance of getting screened.
“It’s important for women to know that cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with regular screening, appropriate and timely follow-up of abnormal results and HPV immunization,” says Dr. Joan Murphy, Clinical Lead, Ontario Cervical Screening Program, Cancer Care Ontario. “If a woman has not had a Pap test within the last 3 years, she should speak with her family doctor as soon as possible.”
A Pap test is a simple screening test that can help prevent cervical cancer. Women aged 21 to 69 should get screened for cancer with a Pap test every 3 years if they are or have ever been sexually active. The test looks for abnormal cervical cell changes, but it does not test for other cancers in the reproductive organs, such as ovarian cancer, or for sexually-transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A Pap test can be done at your family doctor’s office, and if you don’t have a doctor, you can get a test done at a walk-in clinic or sexual health clinic.
Key survey findings:
- Nearly 3-quarters (74%) of women surveyed incorrectly believe a Pap test detects sexually-transmitted infections, specifically human papillomavirus (HPV) (51%), chlamydia (40%) gonorrhea (36%) and bacterial vaginosis (34%).
- Of the 90% of women who said a Pap test screens for cancer, nearly one-half (48%) incorrectly believe it tests for vaginal cancer. More than one-third believe it tests for ovarian cancer (37%) and uterine cancer (34%).
- 61% of women surveyed know that a Pap test should be done every 3 years; however, 75% of women either don’t know when they should stop having a Pap test or think they should continue indefinitely.
- 4 in 5 women are aware that having a regular Pap test will help reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer (82%), but far fewer indicate knowing about other methods of protection: only 44% said HPV immunization, 24% said always using a condom and 22% said being monogamous.
“Promoting cancer prevention and the importance of cancer screening is one of the core priorities of the Canadian Cancer Society,” says Susan Flynn, Senior Manager Cancer Prevention, Canadian Cancer Society Ontario Division. “We are pleased to be partnering with Cancer Care Ontario on this important initiative to ensure that women prioritize their own health and take the time to book a Pap test if they are overdue for one.”
Most cervical cancers are diagnosed in women who have never been screened or have not been screened regularly. Cancer Care Ontario sends letters to eligible women inviting them to book a Pap test and get screened for cervical cancer. Letters are also sent to women to remind them to follow-up with their healthcare provider about test results and let them know when it is time to return for screening.
“In Ontario, women aged 21 to 69 have access to comprehensive, coordinated, high-quality cervical cancer screening through the Ontario Cervical Screening Program,” says Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “Screening is a proven way to stop cervical cancer before it starts and reduce the number of deaths from cervical cancer. Increasing cancer screening participation rates across the province is an important part of our government’s Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care.”
Call your doctor to book your Pap test today. Visit to learn more about the campaign or to find a clinic near you.
About the survey
From February 25, 2016 to March 3, 2016, Angus Reid conducted an online survey among 1,018 randomly selected female Ontario residents between the ages of 35 and 49. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—would be +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20 on a probability sample of the same size. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.