Effective cancer screening delivered through organized screening programs is essential to reducing the burden of cancer in Ontario.
We recently released the Ontario Cancer Screening Performance Report (OCSPR) 2023 which presents performance data for Ontario’s four organized cancer screening programs: Ontario Breast Screening Program, Ontario Cervical Screening Program, ColonCancerCheck, and Ontario Lung Screening Program. OCSPR 2023 features a special focus on equity in cancer screening, including a Spotlight on Cancer Screening in First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Peoples.
Provincial and Regional Data
This report builds on the 2020 and 2016 editions by providing updated performance data for more than 50 indicators, as well as sharing information about achievements and planned enhancements. This report presents data from 2017 to 2021 for most indicators, reflecting the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening services as well as program recovery. In addition, a supplemental regional data file is available for regional partners to view performance data for their region in support of their quality improvement efforts.
Key Findings
Strong performance was observed for most cancer screening indicators. Screening participation, retention, and follow-up of abnormal screening results were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic but are showing signs of recovery. Disparities in cancer screening were observed in neighbourhoods with high material deprivation (the inability of individuals and communities to access and attain basic material needs) and ethnic concentration (the proportion of newcomers, non-white and non-Indigenous people), as well as Indigenous people in Ontario. Continual monitoring is important in efforts to reduce these inequities in cancer screening.