Where can I get a Pap test?

Getting a Pap test is free for eligible people living in Ontario. In Ontario, you can get a Pap test from your family doctor, a gynecologist, a nurse or nurse practitioner. You can also get one at most sexual health clinics, some public health units and community health centres.

• If you don’t have a family doctor or other regular healthcare provider, you can register for Healthcare Connect at 1-800-445-1822 or ontario.ca/healthcareconnect.
• You can get information on finding a healthcare provider who is also knowledgeable about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer healthcare by visiting the Rainbow Health Ontario provider directory.

Sometimes, trans men with a male designation on their health cards can face challenges when it comes to getting a lab to analyze test results. It can help to make sure that the lab is trans aware. It's also a good idea to get your healthcare provider to note on your chart or requisition that you are a trans patient.

The Ontario Cervical Screening Program

In Hamilton and in smaller and communities in Northwestern Ontario, the Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP) provides Pap tests on a specially equipped mobile coach (bus). You can call to find out if and when the mobile coach will be coming to your community, and to make an appointment:

• In Northwestern Ontario, you can call 1-800-461-7031. Thunder Bay residents can call 807-684-7777.
• In Hamilton, you can call 1-855-338-3131.

You’re eligible for OCSP screening if you:

• have a valid OHIP card
• have a female designation on your OHIP card. (This can be a barrier to some trans men. If you have a male designation on your health card, you can still get a Pap test from your regular healthcare provider or a clinic.)
• are between the ages of 21 and 69
• have a cervix (that is, you have not had a hysterectomy)
• have no symptoms of cervical cancer

The OCSP is a program of Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). CCO is an Ontario government agency responsible for improving cancer screening services in the province. For more information on Cancer Care Ontario’s Cervical Screening Program, you can visit www.ontario.ca/screenforlife, or call their toll-free line at 1-800-668-9304 or send questions to screenforlife@cancercare.on.ca.

*A note on terminology: On this website, we refer to some body parts, including the cervix, vagina and uterus, in order to discuss cervical cancer. We do recognize that many trans men and people on the trans masculine/ female-to-male (FtM) spectrum may feel ambivalent about or distanced from these terms or prefer other terms, such as “front hole.” We minimize our use of these terms wherever possible, while also acknowledging and attempting to normalize the reality that men can have these body parts too.