{"id":33528,"date":"2026-04-17T07:53:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T11:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cliniqueomicron.ca\/?p=33528"},"modified":"2026-09-13T14:06:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T18:06:57","slug":"hpv-test-quebec-2026-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cliniqueomicron.ca\/en\/blogue-test-vph-quebec-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"HPV Testing in Quebec in 2026: What's Replacing the Pap Test"},"content":{"rendered":"
Depuis des d\u00e9cennies, le test Pap \u00e9tait la principale fa\u00e7on de d\u00e9pister le cancer du col de l’ut\u00e9rus au Qu\u00e9bec. Ce temps-l\u00e0 est r\u00e9volu. En 2026, la province d\u00e9ploie progressivement le Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection test<\/strong> pour remplacer le Pap test comme examen de d\u00e9pistage de premi\u00e8re ligne. Ce changement touche des millions de Qu\u00e9b\u00e9coises et m\u00e9rite d’\u00eatre bien compris, que vous soyez d\u00fb pour un d\u00e9pistage ou que vous ayez simplement entendu parler du sujet aux nouvelles.<\/p>\n

Qu’est-ce que le VPH et pourquoi le d\u00e9pister ?<\/h3>\n

Visit human papillomavirus<\/strong> est l’infection transmise sexuellement la plus r\u00e9pandue en Am\u00e9rique du Nord. La grande majorit\u00e9 des personnes sexuellement actives \u2014 hommes et femmes \u2014 entrent en contact avec le VPH \u00e0 un moment ou un autre de leur vie. Pour la plupart, l’infection dispara\u00eet d’elle-m\u00eame sans causer de probl\u00e8me.<\/p>\n

The catch: certain types of HPV, called \u00abhigh-risk,\u00bb can persist and cause precancerous lesions. If these lesions are not detected in time, they can progress to cancer du col de l’ut\u00e9rus<\/strong> \u2014 a preventable cancer when caught early. According to Health Canada data, approximately 1,500 Canadian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year.<\/p>\n

A often ignored fact: HPV can also affect men and cause oropharyngeal, anal, and penile cancers. A recent Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Merck Canada (March 2026, 1,000 Canadians aged 18 to 47) reveals that 31 % des hommes affirment ne pas savoir ce qu’est le VPH<\/strong>, et que pr\u00e8s de la moiti\u00e9 ignorent les cons\u00e9quences possibles d’une infection persistante.<\/p>\n

Pap test vs HPV test: What are the differences?<\/h3>\n

Les deux tests se font lors d’un examen gyn\u00e9cologique. La diff\u00e9rence se situe dans ce qu’ils cherchent et dans leur pr\u00e9cision.<\/p>\n

The Pap test (cervical cytology)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Pap test analyse des cellules pr\u00e9lev\u00e9es sur le col de l’ut\u00e9rus pour rep\u00e9rer des anomalies cellulaires. Sa sensibilit\u00e9 n’est pas optimale : certaines l\u00e9sions pr\u00e9canc\u00e9reuses peuvent passer inaper\u00e7ues au premier examen. C’est pourquoi il devait se r\u00e9p\u00e9ter tous les three years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

HPV Test (Human Papillomavirus Detection)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The HPV test directly detects presence of the virus<\/em> plut\u00f4t que les changements cellulaires qu’il provoque. The probability of detecting a high-grade lesion 10 years after a negative HPV test is less than 1 %<\/strong>. L’intervalle entre les tests passe de 3 \u00e0 5 years<\/strong> For people whose result is negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Comparison of Pap test and HPV test in Quebec<\/caption>\n
Criteria<\/th>\nPap Smear<\/th>\nHPV Test<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ce qu’il d\u00e9tecte<\/td>\nCellular anomalies<\/td>\nPresence of HPV virus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended frequency<\/td>\nEvery 3 years<\/td>\nEvery 5 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Age of onset<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n25 years old<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
End age<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n65 years old<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sensitivity<\/td>\nModerate<\/td>\nSuperior<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The deployment in Quebec: where are we in 2026?<\/h3>\n

L’INESSS avait formul\u00e9 ses recommandations en faveur du test VPH comme d\u00e9pistage primaire d\u00e8s 2022. L’objectif initial d’un d\u00e9ploiement complet \u00e0 la fin 2025 a \u00e9t\u00e9 repouss\u00e9 \u00e0 March 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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  • 13 regions<\/strong> had completed their transition to HPV testing<\/li>\n
  • Montreal and Mauricie\u2013Centre-du-Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong> pourraient compl\u00e9ter leur d\u00e9ploiement jusqu’en septembre 2026<\/li>\n
  • In regions where the HPV test is already offered, it automatically replaces the Pap test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Important: If you recently had a Pap test<\/h3>\n

    The MSSS specifies that professionals should not perform an HPV test if a Pap test was done within less than three years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    How is the HPV test performed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Le pr\u00e9l\u00e8vement ressemble beaucoup au Pap test : un m\u00e9decin ou une infirmi\u00e8re praticienne effectue un pr\u00e9l\u00e8vement cervical lors d’un examen gyn\u00e9cologique. C’est rapide, l\u00e9g\u00e8rement inconfortable, mais sans danger.<\/p>\n

    What happens if the result is positive?<\/h3>\n

    A positive result doesn't mean you have cancer. Approximately 10 % people with a positive result<\/strong> n\u00e9cessiteront un examen compl\u00e9mentaire. La grande majorit\u00e9 n’ont pas de l\u00e9sion canc\u00e9reuse.<\/p>\n

    HPV and Vaccination: What You Need to Know<\/h3>\n

    Le Qu\u00e9bec offre la vaccination contre le VPH dans le cadre de son programme de vaccination scolaire. L’efficacit\u00e9 du vaccin pour pr\u00e9venir les l\u00e9sions pr\u00e9canc\u00e9reuses est sup\u00e9rieure \u00e0 95 % among women aged 15 to 26<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Since October 2024, a temporary measure has allowed people to 21 to 45 years old<\/strong> d’acc\u00e9der \u00e0 la vaccination VPH gratuitement au Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n

    Is the HPV test possible at a private clinic?<\/h3>\n

    Oui. Certaines cliniques m\u00e9dicales priv\u00e9es au Qu\u00e9bec peuvent effectuer le pr\u00e9l\u00e8vement et coordonner l’analyse en laboratoire. Certains services de d\u00e9pistage sont couverts par la RAMQ.<\/p>\n

    Our doctors in our Quebec clinics can assist you with your cervical cancer screening, discuss your HPV vaccination history with you, and answer your questions about the new 2026 recommendations.<\/p>\n

    Our service points offer consultations covered by the RAMQ as well as private services according to your needs. Teleconsultation is also available.<\/p>\n

    Blood test and sampling | Clinique Omicron<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n