The Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (CCPP) is dedicated to decreasing the incidence of cervical cancer in the province of Nova Scotia. Established in 1991 by the Department of Health and Wellness and integrated with Cancer Care Nova Scotia in 2002, the Program is recognized as one of the first organized cervical cancer screening programs in Canada. Together with physicians, nurses, laboratories and many groups and organizations across Nova Scotia who are concerned about the health and wellness of women, the Program continues to work towards the goal of a comprehensive and equitable model in prevention and early detection of cervical cancer and appropriate management of precancerous cell change.

The Program’s mandate includes:

• public and professional education;
• the establishment and ongoing evaluation of province-wide standards in cytology, histopathology, and colposcopy;
• a provincial cytology/colposcopy monitoring system; and research

Nova Scotia laboratories maintain high standards of patient care and all laboratories performing gynecological cytology and histopathology participate in the CCPP’s quality assurance programs. Standards and guidelines are reviewed regularly and revised in consultation with all labs and other stakeholders.

The CCPP is responsible for the Provincial Cytology/Colposcopy Registry, a confidential database of all Pap smears performed in the province since 1978 and most colposcopies since 1990. In addition to monitoring Pap smear activity, the Registry also operates a physician reminder letter process. This process acts as a safety net for physicians and women, ensuring that patients with significantly abnormal Pap test results do not get lost to follow-up.

The program is an active member of the Pan-Canadian Cervical Screening Initiative, formed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer which provides a national forum for discussion and action to improve cervical cancer control.