Updates to BC Cancer Cervix Screening affecting primary care

BC Cancer Cervix Screening is implementing significant updates on 7 December 2020 that have an impact on primary care.

New facilitated referral process

The Cervix Screening program is implementing a facilitated referral process for cervix screening participants with cytology results that recommend colposcopy follow-up. The new process will reduce wait times for cytology follow-up and improve adherence to follow-up by ensuring patients are referred for colposcopy quickly. When the program receives a cervix screening result that recommends colposcopy follow-up, it will send a referral to a colposcopy clinic based on the patient’s postal code. Primary care providers will receive a Notice of Referral indicating that a patient has been referred for colposcopy by the program on the physician’s behalf.

For more information, please refer to this fact sheet or visit www.screeningbc.ca/health-professionals.

Direct patient recall

BC Cancer Cervix Screening will begin recalling patients directly with mailed reminder letters when they are due for rescreening. Patients will receive reminder letters 8 weeks before their due date and on their due date. If the Cervix Screening program does not receive a Pap test result by 12 weeks after the patient’s due date, a notice will be sent to the primary care provider.

This recall protocol is based on the recommendation of a BC Cancer Screening Primary Care Provider Working Group. If you have any questions, please contact the BC Cancer Cervix Screening program at screening@bccancer.bc.ca or 604 877-6000 (ext. 675365).
—Javis Lui
Leader, Screening Promotions
BC CANCER

This post has not been peer reviewed by the BCMJ Editorial Board.