Because of the long history of high-quality cervical cancer screening in Canada, the benefit achieved so far may be close to the maximum. However, it might be possible to see even further reductions in both incidence and death for this cancer if all elements of an organized screening program are incorporated, which would include identifying opportunities to increase participation.

240

We would like to see them implemented as quickly as we can, because the longer it takes, the more lives we are losing.

196

Talk to your doctors about what cancer screening tests are best for you. It could save your life.

186

The percentage of women who have been screened is probably somewhere between 34 and 61 per cent, and this is too low. However, breast cancer death rates have been declining and screening is one reason for this downward trend.

185

We're working with our federal counterparts through the strategy and I know my colleagues in the provinces are working with their provincial governments and cancer agencies to look at how we can get this program implemented as quickly as possible.

151

While it's encouraging that the proportion of women in organized breast cancer screening programs has increased over time, in 2003 participation was only 34 per cent nationally.

149