Cervical cancer screening in Canada: Program performance results 2009 to 2011 (2013)

December 1, 2013

Find information in this 2013 report for 12 performance indicators of cervical cancer screening programs for the years 2009 to 2011

This report presents data for the years 2009 to 2011 for 12 cervical-screening program-performance indicators for women aged 20 to 69 years. This report also describes the use of HPV testing and immunization and gives more detailed cervical cancer information for women aged 20 to 24 years, including histological subtype (squamous cell carcinoma and non–squamous cell carcinomas).

The 12 performance indicators for cervical-cancer screening programs are organized into five areas to help monitor cervical screening progress:

• Coverage
• Cytology performance
• System capacity
• Follow-up
• Outcomes

The results provide information about cervical cancer screening program performance and outcomes across Canada.

How cervical cancer screening programs are organized varies across the country. Eight provinces contributed data for this report: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Each province reviewed and approved the data and report for its cervical screening program. Also, all provinces and territories were kept up-to-date on the process.

Studies show that women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer were not screened in the five years before diagnosis, were not followed appropriately after an abnormal Pap test result or the Pap test failed to detect their cancer. Therefore, it is critical to monitor and evaluate cervical cancer screening to make sure that Canadian women receive high-quality services to prevent cancer.

Screening using the Pap test or cervical cytology has significantly reduced cervical cancer and cervical cancer deaths in Canada. Regardless, over 1,400 Canadian women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year.

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