PREVENTION
PROGRAM
FOR CERVICAL
CANCER
A PROGRAM OF THE SASKATCHEWAN
CANCER AGENCY
Cervical Cancer Facts
Cervical Cancer in Canada
• Each year, approximately 1,300 Canadian women are diagnosed with cervical
cancer and 370 die from the disease.
• Seven in 100,000 Canadian women will develop cervical cancer in their
lifetime.
• The lifetime probability of a Canadian woman developing cervical cancer is
estimated to be 1 in 148.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada, 2010: www.cancer.ca/statistics
Cervical Cancer in Saskatchewan
• Each year, approximately 35 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and
10 die from the disease.
• Just under nine in 100,000 Saskatchewan women will develop cervical cancer
in their lifetime.
Source: Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Risk Factors
•
Most cases of cervical cancer tend to occur in women younger than 50
years of age.
•
Infection of the cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV). Almost all cases
(99.7 per cent) of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.
•
Becoming sexually active at an early age (before 18) is linked to a higher risk
of cervical cancer. Also, certain sexual behaviours (such as having multiple
sex partners and partners who have multiple partners) can increase a
woman’s likelihood of becoming infected with HPV, thereby increasing the
risk of cervical cancer.
•
People who smoke are at higher risk of cervical cancer, as well as other
cancers.
Screening
• Cervical cancer is preventable.
• Almost all cervical cancer can be cured when diagnosed and treated at an
early stage. The cure rate for stage 1 cervical cancer (cancer limited to the
cervix) is 80-90 per cent.
• Women between the ages of 18-69 should have regular Pap tests.
• The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency operates the population-based Prevention
Program for Cervical Cancer.
September
2010
Early detection saves lives
Prevention Program for Cervical Cancer
The Prevention Program for Cervical Cancer (PPCC) is a screening program of the Saskatchewan
Cancer Agency dedicated to the prevention of cervical cancer.
The PPCC provides education about cervical cancer, informs women aged 18-69 when they are
due for a Pap test, notifies women by mail of their Pap test result, and works with doctors and
nurse practitioners to ensure appropriate follow-up of abnormal Pap test results. Approximately
61 per cent of all eligible women in Saskatchewan participate in the PPCC.
Pap Test
•
The Pap test is the main tool used to screen for cervical cancer. It is used to detect cancer
or precancerous cells that may lead to cancer. The test is named after its inventor, George
Papanicolaou.
•
The Pap test is a quick and simple procedure. During a Pap test, cells are taken from the cervix
and sent to a laboratory for assessment.
•
An average of 116,000 Pap tests are completed each year for women aged 18-69 participating
in the PPCC.
•
Each year, an average of 110,000 Pap tests are considered normal and 5,000 abnormal, with a
small number defined as unsatisfactory, which require a repeat Pap test.
•
Some abnormal results require follow-up by colposcopy or histology. An average of 4,000
colposcopies and 2,500 histologies are completed each year for follow-up of abnormal results.
Participant Pathway
Women who are 18 years old are enrolled in the PPCC. A letter is sent
which explains the program and how the PPCC received access to their
contact information.
Recall/reminder letters are sent to eligible women to notify them when
they are due for their next Pap test. These letters continue until the woman
reaches age 69.
The woman has a Pap test at her doctor or nurse practitioner’s office. The
cells are reviewed at a laboratory.
Normal
The PPCC sends results to the participant.
Participants are re-screened
at the appropriate time
interval.
Abnormal or Unsatisfactory
The PPCC sends results to the participant.
The doctor or nurse
practitioner will contact
the participant for a followup appointment.
Results of follow-up will determine
next steps, which may include repeat
Pap test in six months, colposcopy
or other procedure.
For more information about the Prevention Program for Cervical Cancer visit www.saskcancer.ca