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Homepage PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

Screening Programs

Coordinating population-based cancer and newborn screening to detect conditions and diseases early.

Who we are

Screening Programs is part of Primary Care Alberta. Our work focuses on coordinating population-based cancer and newborn screening to detect conditions and diseases early to improve health outcomes for Albertans. We coordinate the operations of cancer and newborn population-based cancer and newborn screening programs in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.

Our core functions

  • Promoting and coordinating provincial cancer and newborn population-based screening programs. 
  • Identifying Albertans eligible to participate in screening and supporting them to access screening and diagnostic follow-up services across the province.
  • Providing timely and accurate information, education and resources to support the public, health professionals and community stakeholders.
  • Generating personalized correspondence to eligible Albertans, including invitations, results and reminders to maximize participation in cancer screening programs.
  • Providing screening mammography in Calgary, Edmonton, and over 120 rural communities annually through Screen Test.
  • Supporting healthcare providers to follow-up with Albertans requiring further medical intervention, as recommended.
  • Maintaining provincial screening program database applications that interface with clinical service information systems, Cancer Registry, Alberta Personal Directory and Netcare.
  • Facilitating ongoing program quality assurance and quality improvement activities.
  • Conducting program evaluation, reporting and research.

These core functions are achieved through a series of organized and integrated processes along a defined screening pathway, consisting of four key elements: recruitment, screening test, follow-up test, and diagnosis. For more information, visit: 

Fiscal year 2024-2025

Reduced health disparities and improved access to cancer screening services:

  • 3,350 self-collected Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits were mailed to Albertans along with electronic reminders if a result was not received at 45 and 70 days. Based on previous return rates of 72%, 2,412 kits are expected to be returned. 
  • Breast cancer screening was offered through Screen Test mobile mammography clinics in 85 communities including Edmonton and Calgary clinics and rural and remote communities, with 8,683 clients screened. 
  • 20 Indigenous communities were visited by Screen Test mobile mammography and 413 Indigenous clients were screened.
  • Cervix Self-Screening Pilot project started in September 2024; recruitment continues in 2025. Visit screeningforlife.ca for more information. 

Increased early detection of lung cancer through the lung cancer screening pilot project:

  • 35 lung cancers were detected through the pilot project (11.7 per 1000). 
  • 30/35 or 85.7% of detected lung cancers were in the early stages (stages I and II combined) exceeding the target of ≥70%. 
  • The positive predictive value (% of those with a positive screen test who are subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer) was 35/320 or 10.9%.

Note: A positive predictive value of 10% or higher is considered acceptable for low-dose CT scans.

What is an external data request?

An external data request is any request made by a department, institute, or organization that is outside of the division of Screening Programs.

There are four types of data requests. Each request type will be reviewed by a different committee:

  • Operational requests: Submitted by high-priority stakeholders such as Primary and Preventative Health Services, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and PCA Leadership.
  • Partner requests: Submitted by organizations that already have an established partnership with Screening Programs, such as Cancer Prevention and Screening Innovation or Health Quality Alberta.
  • Academic requests: Submitted by academic researchers, including those from the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, and other research institutions.
  • Grant-funded requests: Submitted by PCA researchers who are supported through grant funding.

Submit request

Please complete the form below to request data from Screening Programs. If you have questions about the form, please contact us.

External data request form

Related information

Public Health

Public Health focuses on keeping whole communities healthy by preventing illness and promoting healthy habits.

EXTERNAL LINK

Screening for Life

Getting screened for cancer regularly is the best way to find it early, before you have any symptoms and when treatment is likely to work best. 

EXTERNAL LINK

Cancer Care Alberta

Information and resources to help patients, family members and caregivers actively participate in the cancer care experience.