Cervical screening in Canada, 2023-24
About this section
Organized cervical screening programs are available in most provinces. These programs screen eligible individuals who are asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer present) and at average risk for cervical cancer. Where organized screening programs are not available, screening services may be accessed opportunistically (outside the organized program) through a primary care provider (PCP). This section describes cervical screening programs, guidelines, and recruitment methods in provinces and territories across Canada.
There are nine fully implemented cervical screening programs in Canada. Three jurisdictions are planning for implementation.
Screening parameters, referral strategies, and promotional strategies, as well as integrated IT systems, are all elements of organized screening programs (WHO, IARC).
Cervical screening programs in Canada
| P/T | Program start date | Program name | Agency responsible for program administration |
|---|---|---|---|
| YT | No organized screening program available (plans are underway to expand Yukon’s ColonCheck screening program to include cervical cancer screening). | Yukon Government Health and Social Services | |
| NT | No organized screening program available. In the process of planning and completing pre-implementation activities for a cervical cancer screening program. | Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority | |
| NU | No organized screening program available. | ||
| BC | 1955 | Cervix Screening Program | BC Cancer |
| AB | 2000 | Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program | Alberta Health Services |
| SK | 2003 | Screening Program for Cervical Cancer | Saskatchewan Cancer Agency |
| MB | 2000 | CervixCheck | CancerCare Manitoba |
| ON | 2000 | Ontario Cervical Screening Program | Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) |
| QC | A cervical screening program is currently in development.* | Programme québécois de cancérologie [Quebec Oncology Program] Minister of Health and Social Services |
|
| NB | 2014 | New Brunswick Cervical Cancer Prevention and Screening Program | New Brunswick Cancer Network (NB Department of Health) |
| NS | 1991 | Cervical Cancer Prevention Program | Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program |
| PE^ | 2001 | Cervical Cancer Screening Service | Health PEI |
| NL | 2003 | Cervical Screening Initiatives Program | Cancer Care Program, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services |
*QC: Cervical screening is currently done opportunistically through Pap tests.
^PE: In 2001, Pap clinic was run by a general practitioner, which had outreach clinics. In 2015, Health PEI established a Pap service, Cervical Cancer Screening Service, which provides result letters for Paps done through outreach clinics. If a provider outside of these clinics takes a Pap, the lab supports the clinicians by providing reminders for abnormal results without a follow-up. Otherwise, screening in PEI is primarily opportunistic.
Program update
Two jurisdictions are considering or actively implementing new programs, and one jurisdiction is considering making changes to their current program.
Northwest Territories
As of 2023, Northwest Territories is starting a program with CPAC to begin the planning, pre-implementation, and piloting of a cervical cancer screening program in specific regions with long-term expectations of being territory-wide. The program is expected to launch in 2027.
Quebec
Quebec wants to implement HPV as primary testing with liquid-based cytology equipment. In addition, Quebec is working on developing a framework for an organized screening program.
Prince Edward Island
The importance of a programmatic approach is understood when it comes to HPV self-sampling testing recruitment, follow-up, and navigation activities. Prince Edward Island will assess feasibility and resources required for such a program.