In BC, the only HPV test available is used for cervix screening. This means you can’t ask your doctor, clinic, or lab for an HPV test, even if a sexual partner tells you they have HPV.

There are a few reasons for this. The HPV test used in cervix screening only checks for the types of HPV linked to cervical cancer. It does not test for the types that cause genital warts, other types of cancer, or the types that don’t cause any symptoms at all.

Instead of testing everyone for HPV, health care providers look for signs or complications from the infection and follow up if needed.