Cervical cancer screening in Canada: 2021/2022

Recall following a normal Pap test

Seven provinces send recall letters at the program-identified interval following a normal Pap test. Five of these provinces send the letter to the participant only, one sends it to primary care providers only, and one sends it to both the participant and primary care provider. NU uses phone calls as a recall method. In addition, seven jurisdictions send reminder letters if the participant does not initiate screening after receiving the recall letter.

Recall following a normal Pap test

P/T Recall method Recall sent to Recall issued by Reminder letter if screening is not initiated
YT
NT
NU* Phone call Primary care provider Primary care provider
(individual well-women clinics organized by nursing station nurses or clinic nurses organize recall)
BC Letter Participant, primary care provider Screening program Letter to PCP is sent after participant letter
AB Letter Participant Screening program
(participants only)
SK Letter Participant Screening program
MB Letter Participant Screening program
(participants only)
ON Letter Participant Screening program, primary care provider (PCP may use other strategies)
QC
NB Letter Participant Screening program
(participants only)
NS No programmatic recall in place
PE No programmatic recall in place
NL Letter Primary care provider Screening program, primary care provider

NU: *Although there is no organized screening program available, many health centres have created their own recall methods and listings to provide reminders. This is specific to each health center and dependent on the staff who are available to support.