Ontario Cervical Screening Program 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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
OCSPNTFUB0422