Ontario Cervical Screening Program
The goal of the Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP) is to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. OCSP is operated by Cancer Care Ontario and funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
The role of the Canadian Cancer Society in the Ontario Cervical Screening Program
The Canadian Cancer Society helps to raise awareness about the value of the early detection of cervical cancer through regular Pap tests. The Canadian Cancer Society continues to actively support the development and operation of the Ontario Cervical Screening Program through its membership on the OCSP Collaborative Group and other related provincial committees.
Ontario Cervical Screening guidelines
Initiation of screening
- All women who are, or have ever been, sexually active should have a Pap test.
- Screening should be initiated within three years of first vaginal sexual activity, i.e., vaginal intercourse, vaginal/oral and/or vaginal/digital sexual activity.
Screening interval
- Screening should be done annually until there are three consecutive negative Pap tests.
- After three annual negative Pap tests, screening should continue every two to three years.
- If a woman has not been screened in more than five years, she should be screened annually until there are three consecutive negative Pap tests.
- Women with previous abnormal Pap tests may be screened more frequently.
- Women who have sex with women should follow the same cervical screening regimen as women who have sex with men.
Cessation of screening
- Screening may be discontinued after the age of 70 if there is an adequate negative screening history in the previous 10 years (i.e. 3 or more negative tests).
- Even if women have stopped having sex, they should continue to have the test.
For more information about the Ontario Cervical Screening Program
Please contact:
Ontario Cervical Screening Program
Cancer Care Ontario
Phone: (416) 971-9800
E-mail: cervicalscreen@cancercare.on.ca
www.cancercare.on.ca
The role of the Canadian Cancer Society in the Ontario Cervical Screening Program
The Canadian Cancer Society helps to raise awareness about the value of the early detection of cervical cancer through regular Pap tests. The Canadian Cancer Society continues to actively support the development and operation of the Ontario Cervical Screening Program through its membership on the OCSP Collaborative Group and other related provincial committees.
How can I find out more about the Pap test?
The Ontario Division of the Canadian Cancer Society plays a lead role in the distribution of information materials about the Pap test and cervical cancer both for the public and health care professionals. Most materials are available in English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.
For copies of the materials or for more information about screening for cervical cancer, call our Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1 888 939-3333 or email us at info@cis.cancer.ca.
For more information about cervical cancer, click here.
For more information about how you can reduce your risk of developing cancer, click here.
Last modified on:
13 December 2009
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