WHAT'S NEW WITH CERVICAL SCREENING

The Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program is being expanded to include 680,000 more women.

In October 2011, the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP) will begin sending Pap test result letters to women in Central, Edmonton, and North zones of Alberta Health Services (AHS). Program letters are currently sent to women in the Calgary and South zones and will now be sent to women in the rest of the province. The ACCSP encourages women to be screened, mails them their Pap test results and reminds them of overdue tests. The ACCSP Participation map shows which letters the program is currently sending to different areas of the province.

Women ages 21 to 69 who live in the North, Edmonton and Central zones will begin receiving introductory letters the week of September 13th explaining how the program works. To read the letter in any of the following languages please click on the appropriate link:

Intro Letter - English

Intro Letter - Punjabi

Intro Letter - Arabic

Intro Letter - Spanish

Intro Letter - Chinese Traditional

Intro Letter - Vietnamese

Intro Letter - Chinese Simplified

Intro Letter - French

See below for answers to some frequently asked questions:

Why is this program important?

How did the ACCSP get my name and address?

How Is my privacy protected?

Do I have to participate?

Do I need a Pap test?

Why is this program important?
The ACCSP supports eligible women to have Pap tests regularly and to follow-up on any abnormal results by sending you letters related to cervical cancer screening. Studies show screening programs lead to more women being screened and followed up correctly, reducing the number of women who develop and/or die from cancer. Regular Pap tests save lives by finding changes in the cells of the cervix. Abnormal cell changes can be treated if needed so that cancer doesn’t develop.

How did the ACCSP get my name and address?
Alberta Health and Wellness, under the Health Information Act, provides the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program with the names and addresses of women in Alberta, so letters related to cervical cancer screening can be sent. Keeping your name and address up to date with Alberta Health and Wellness will ensure letters are delivered to the correct address. To update your information, call Alberta Health and Wellness at 310-0000 (toll free) then dial 780-427-1432

How is my privacy protected?
The ACCSP is secure, private and confidential. ACCSP staff are bound by the Health Information Act and will ONLY have access to your Pap test results and any related cervical follow-up test results. No other health information is obtained.

Do I have to participate?
The ACCSP will automatically send results and reminder letters to all eligible women. If you are not sure you want to receive results and reminder letters, please call 1-866-727-3926 or talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits of being part of the ACCSP. Should you choose to opt out of the program, it will not impact your access to cervical cancer screening services.

ACCSP No Letter Option Form

Do I need a Pap test?
Pap tests are recommended for all women beginning at 21 years of age or 3 years after first sexual contact, whichever is later. You should continue having Pap tests regularly even if you're no longer sexually active or if you've had the HPV vaccine. If you've had a hysterectomy, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to continue Pap testing. For most women 70 years and older, cervical screening can stop if your last Pap tests, done withn the past 10 years, were normal. See "Do I Really Need a Pap Test" for more information.

For Women

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