COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

Cervical Screening Letters

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) mails letters to people with a cervix who are ages 30 to 69 inviting them to get a Pap test through the Ontario Cervical Screening Program. We also send letters to people ages 21 to 69 to tell them their test results and remind them when it is time to get screened again.

Types of Letters

Invitation Letters

We send letters inviting people to start screening when they turn 30 years old.

Recall Letters

After a Pap test result, we send recall letters reminding people who are at average risk to get screened again in 3 years if they qualify.

Result Notifications

After screening tests are analyzed, participating labs tell the doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife who did the test, and Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) about your results. We also send you your test results by mail:

Normal result
We tell you when you have a normal result and when to get screened again. If you notice possible symptoms of cancer, you are asked to see the doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife who did your test.
Unsatisfactory result
We tell you if the lab rejects your Pap test or if the result could not be read. In both cases, you need to do the Pap test again. Contact the doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife who did your test to arrange for another Pap test.
Abnormal result
Your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife will tell you about your abnormal result and let you know next steps. We will also send you a letter about your abnormal result and ask you to see your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife to talk about next steps.

For information on what an abnormal Pap test result means and what happens next, see What your abnormal Pap test means.

Reminder Letters

In some situations, letters are sent to remind you about getting screened or about next steps after you get your results.

Privacy Notice

The privacy notice tells you about our cancer screening programs and how your information is protected.

Samples of Letters

Invitation letter

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Our records show that it is time for you to get a Pap test to protect you from cervical cancer. This year about 1,500 people will get cervical cancer in Canada, and every day at least 1 person will die from this preventable disease.

A Pap test can help prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is almost 100% preventable with regular Pap tests and following up with a doctor after an abnormal Pap result. That’s why eligible Ontarians ages 21 to 69 are asked to have a Pap test every 3 years.

A Pap test only takes a few minutes and is covered every 3 years under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

You can get a Pap test from your family doctor or at many medical clinics across Ontario.

It’s your call to make. Book a Pap test today.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

Book your test!

Book an appointment with your family doctor

What if you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner? Call Health811 at 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007 or visit ontario.ca/health811.

Visit a clinic that offers Pap tests if you prefer

Health811 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can help you find a clinic near you that offers Pap tests. Call 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007 or visit ontario.ca/health811.

Do I need a Pap test if…

I feel healthy and have no symptoms: Yes
I have never had intimate sexual contact: No
I used to be, but am no longer sexually active: Yes
I have only had 1 sexual partner: Yes
I am in a same-sex relationship: Yes
I have been through menopause: Yes
I have no family history of cervical cancer: Yes
My cervix was completely removed for a hysterectomy: No
I am under 21 or over 70 years old: No
I am over 70, but have not had 3 normal tests in the past 10 years: Yes
I have had the HPV vaccine: Yes

Have questions?

Visit cancercareontario.ca/paptest for more information

What is a Pap test (also known as a Pap smear)?

A Pap test looks for early cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer. An instrument, called a speculum, is inserted in your vagina and samples of your cervical cells are taken with a soft brush so they can be looked at under a microscope. Pap tests are not perfect. A single test could miss some abnormal cells, so it is important to do the test every 3 years. If you have abnormal bleeding or discharge from your vagina, see your doctor even if your last Pap test was normal.

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Infection with HPV is very common. Most people will not know they have it because there are often no symptoms and the infection goes away without causing harm. HPV is sexually transmitted and causes cell changes in the cervix that are usually found with a Pap test. HPV can cause cancer when the infection does not go away, although it usually takes many years for cancer to develop.

How often do I need a Pap test?

Every 3 years, ages 21 to 69. To help you and your healthcare provider remember when it is time for your Pap test, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) will send a reminder letter directly to you. We will also send you a letter about your Pap test result a few weeks after your test.

How much does a Pap test cost?

Pap test screening every 3 years is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

What happens after I get my Pap test?

A few weeks after your Pap test, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) sends a letter to you with your result. If the result is abnormal, you will be asked to contact your healthcare provider.

Who is Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)?

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is an Ontario government agency. For more information on our cancer screening programs, visit ontario.ca/cancercheck, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or 1.866.662.9233.

To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the form at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. You may change your mind at any time. Your privacy matters: visit cancercareontario.ca/screeningphi.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPINVNS0224

Recall letter

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

We are writing to you because it is time for you to get screened for cervical cancer. This year, cervical cancer will be found in about 1,500 people in Canada and at least one person will die every day from this disease. The good news is that you can take steps to protect yourself from cervical cancer by having regular Pap tests.

The Pap test is a screening test that looks for early warning signs of cervical cancer. As long as your test results are normal, you should have the Pap test every three years. We will send you a letter about your Pap test result about a month after your test and another letter when it is time for your next cervical cancer screening test.

Call your family doctor or nurse practitioner to book your Pap test appointment.

If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, Health811 can help you find one for free. Call 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007 or visit ontario.ca/health811.

Having a Pap test is an important part of staying healthy. Cervical cancer can most often be prevented with regular screening and by having proper follow-up, if necessary. Visit cancercareontario.ca/cervicalinfo for more information about cervical screening.

Protect your health. Book a Pap test today.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

For more information about our screening programs, please visit ontario.ca/cancercheck, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or toll-free at 1.866.662.9233.

If you do not want to get letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) about cancer screening call us at 1.866.662.9233.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPRCL0224

Normal result letter

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR PAP TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for taking the time to do your cervical screening (Pap) test. I am writing to let you know that your recent Pap test result is normal. Your healthcare provider should have the full report from the lab.

A normal result means that no cell changes were found on your cervix.

This is good news. However, it is important to continue to get Pap tests in the future because cell changes on the cervix can develop over time. Pap tests can help prevent cervical cancer or catch it earlier when it is easier to treat, and most eligible people should have a Pap test once every three years until the age of 70. Talk to your healthcare provider about when you should have your next Pap test.

Visit cancercareontario.ca/cervicalinfo for more information about cervical screening. Please keep in mind that no test is perfect and you should see your healthcare provider if you have unusual bleeding or discharge from your vagina.

Having a Pap test is an important part of staying healthy. Cervical cancer can most often be prevented with regular screening and by having follow-up testing, if necessary.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

This letter is about your most recent Pap test. If your test was done in a colposcopy clinic by a colposcopist (a specialist doctor), the advice in this letter may not apply to you. Please follow the advice of your colposcopist.

For more information about our screening programs, please visit ontario.ca/cancercheck, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or toll-free at 1.866.662.9233. If you do not want to get letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) about cancer screening call us at 1.866.662.9233.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPNTFNA0224

Unsatisfactory result letter

People whose cervical screening result is unsatisfactory (that is, the lab could not process the test) will receive one of the following letters:

Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 1
Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 2

Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 1

March 30, 2022

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for taking the time to get a cervical screening test done. I am writing to let you know that the lab could not process your recent test.

This is not a cause for concern. It means that you need to do your cervical screening test again.

A cervical screening test checks cells taken from the cervix to see if they look different from normal cells. When a lab can’t process the test, it often means that the sample did not have enough cells or that the cells could not be seen well enough under the microscope.

Your healthcare provider may have already contacted you about your result. If not, please make an appointment for another cervical screening test. You should wait three months from the date of your first test before having a repeat test because it takes about three months for the top layer of cells to re-grow. Doing the test too soon may lead to a wrong result.

Cervical screening is an important part of staying healthy. Cervical cancer can most often be prevented with regular screening and by having follow-up testing, if necessary.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPNTFUA0422

Unsatisfactory Result Letter – Version 2

March 30, 2022

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for taking the time to get your cervical screening test done. I am writing to let you know that the lab could not process your recent test.

This is not a cause for concern. It means that you need to do your cervical screening test again or have another type of follow-up test.

Your healthcare provider should have received the full report from the lab and may have already contacted you. If not, please make an appointment to discuss your result and arrange for a follow-up test.

Cervical screening is an important part of staying healthy. Cervical cancer can most often be prevented with regular screening and by having follow-up testing, if necessary.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPNTFUB0422

Abnormal result letter

People whose cervical screening result is abnormal will receive one of the following letters:

Abnormal Result Letter – Version 1
Abnormal Result Letter – Version 2
Abnormal Result Letter – Version 3

Abnormal Result Letter – Version 1

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Regular cervical screening is an important part of staying healthy. A cervical screening test takes cells from your cervix to be looked at with a microscope. Your recent test result was mildly abnormal. This means that some of the cells taken from your cervix do not look like normal cells.

Abnormal results do not mean that you have cancer. In most cases, abnormal cells return to normal on their own. Please read the fact sheet included with this letter for more information.

Your healthcare provider may have already contacted you about your test result. If not, it is important that you speak with them about further testing that is right for you. This may include another cervical screening test in twelve months or other follow-up tests.

As an agency of the Ministry of Health, we provide cancer screening programs to the people of Ontario. If you do not want to receive screening letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), complete the Cancer Screening Programs: Participant Information Form found at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters. You can change your mind at any time.

Thank you for taking care of your health and getting a cervical screening test. For more information, visit cancercareontario.ca/getchecked or contact us at 1.866.662.9233 or cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

This letter is about your most recent cervical screening test. If your test was done in a colposcopy clinic by a colposcopist (a specialist doctor), the advice in this letter may not apply to you. Please follow the advice of your colposcopist.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPNTFLG0224

Abnormal Result Letter – Version 2

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for taking the time to do your cervical screening (Pap) test. I am writing to let you know that your recent Pap test result is abnormal.

An abnormal Pap test means that the cells taken from your cervix look different from normal cells. Your cell changes require follow-up testing. Cervical cancer can most often be prevented by having follow-up testing and treatment, if necessary.

Your healthcare provider may have already contacted you. If not, it is important that you contact them to discuss your abnormal test result and arrange for follow-up testing that is right for you.

You will also find a handout in this mailing with more information about what cervical cell changes mean. I encourage you to read it and ask your healthcare provider any questions you might have. Having a Pap test is an important part of staying healthy.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

For more information about our screening programs, please visit ontario.ca/cancercheck, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or toll-free at 1.866.662.9233.

If you do not want to get letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) about cancer screening, call us at 1.866.662.9233.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPNTFAA0224

Abnormal Result Letter – Version 3

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for taking the time to get your cervical screening test done. I am writing to let you know that you can get your recent test result from your healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider may have already contacted you. If not, please call them to discuss your test result.

You will also find a handout in this mailing with more information about cervical cancer screening.

Cervical screening is an important part of staying healthy. Cervical cancer can most often be prevented with regular screening and by having follow-up testing, if necessary.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

For more information about our screening programs, please visit ontario.ca/cancercheck, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or toll-free at 1.866.662.9233.

If you do not want to get letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) about cancer screening, call us at 1.866.662.9233.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OCSPNTFAC0224

Correspondence privacy notice

Why you are getting this letter

You are getting this letter because you have been invited to do a cancer screening test or you are waiting for a cancer screening test result. Cancer screening is testing done on someone who may have a higher chance of getting cancer based on factors like their age or family health history, but who has no symptoms and generally feels well. Regular cancer screening is important because it can find cancer early when treatment has a better chance of working. The purpose of this letter is to let you know how your personal health information is used as part of Ontario Health’s cancer screening programs and how your privacy is protected.

Why we collect personal health information

Ontario Health, an agency of the Ministry of Health, manages cancer screening programs for colon, breast, and cervical cancer (ColonCancerCheck, the Ontario Breast Screening Program and the Ontario Cervical Screening Program). These programs use personal health information under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), Ontario’s health privacy law. The programs use this information to help improve finding cancer early, such as by sending letters inviting people to get screened. Ontario Health acts according to PHIPA while collecting and using personal health information.

How we collect and store personal health information

Under PHIPA, Ontario’s health privacy law, Ontario Health collects secured personal health information from health care facilities, labs, the Ministry of Health, and health professionals such as doctors and nurse practitioners. Ontario Health stores personal health information in a safe and secure Ontario cancer screening database. This database can only be seen by our authorized employees who are required to follow our privacy policies.

How we use personal health information

We send letters inviting people to get screening tests.
We give people their screening test results.
We remind people when it is time to get another screening test.
We make improvements to the Ontario cancer screening programs.

How to stop getting letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)

At any time, you can ask us to stop sending you cancer screening letters. To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the Cancer Screening Programs: Participant Information Form at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters under the “Privacy & Alternative Format” tab or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. Print the form and fax or mail it back.

To learn more about the screening program privacy rules at Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), call 1.866.662.9233, visit cancercareontario.ca/screeningphi or email cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca

ALLPN0721