Details

Overall access to preventive care

Specific Indicators

  • Percentage of screen-eligible people who are up to date with at least 1 screening HPV test in the past 66 months or cytology (Pap) test in the past 42 months
  • Percentage of screen eligible patients up to date with breast screening
  • Percentage of screen eligible patients up to date with colorectal tests

Cancer screening is an important component of preventive care and a focus for many primary care teams. According to statistics gathered by Ontario Health, almost a million fewer colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings were conducted between March and December of 2020 than were carried out through the same time period in 2019.

Key Resources
Engage your regional primary care lead for support with cancer screening and sign up for the Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network newsletter for regular cancer screening updates. Contact PrimaryCareInquiries@ontariohealth.ca for more information

Change Ideas

Redesign your system, and lever digital health solutions

Education and Training

Engage Patients

  • For patients without a primary care provider (unattached), prepare materials at points of entry into the system for self-referrals
    Health811 (call 811 [TTY: 1-866-797-007] or use the live chat at ontario.ca/health811) to access the free ColonCancerCheck fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit to screen for colon cancer or to find a clinic that does cervical screening
    Ontario Breast Screening Program Locations(patients can self-refer)
  • Increase cancer screening participation among First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous populations
    The Indigenous Cancer Strategy sets to address and improve cancer care for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and Urban Indigenous people in Ontario.
    Review and incorporate into your practice the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Cancer Screening Resources
    Review and incorporate into your practice the Cancer 101 Toolkit for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous people
    Utilize the Indigenous Navigators in your region, who provide support and advocate for First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous patients and families by:
    Facilitating and coordinating access to palliative and supportive cancer care services
    Addressing cultural and spiritual needs
    Networking with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to make the cancer journey culturally safe

Resources for cervical screening change to HPV testing as of March 2025

  • Consult the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing in Ontario: Implementation Resource Hub, from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), to explore tools and resources available to primary care providers
  • For easy reference, bookmark or print the Ontario cervical screening guidelines summary flow chart
  • Where relevant, follow Ontario Cervical Screening Program: guidance to support the transition years following the launch of human papillomavirus testing in Ontario: Cervical screening and colposcopy recommendations for people ages 21 to 24
  • Clinicians who are Telus PSS users can use OntarioMD HPV Tools, composed of 4 searches and 2 reminders, to help them identify patients eligible for cervical cancer screening

Last Updated: August 26, 2026