Screening Programs transitioned from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to Primary Care Alberta (PCA) in 2025. As this transition continues, some materials will still have AHS branding and language. This will be changed in the future.

PCA Screening Programs provide many different services to support screening in the province. One of them is this website, designed to give Albertans the information they need to make informed decisions about cancer screening.

It can be easy to overlook cancer screening and follow-up appointments when people are busy. So, we communicate directly with eligible Albertans about screening, to help you stay on top of your health. You may receive:

• Introduction communication: Introduces you to the program and encourages you to go for screening.
• Reminders: Lets you know when you’re overdue for screening.
• Results: Informs eligible Albertans of their test results.

All our communication will be sent through MyChart. Albertans without MyChart may still receive their introduction and reminder letters in the mail. All test results will be available on MyChart. You can sign up for MyChart by creating a verified Alberta.ca account and registering for MyHealth Alberta MyChart. Visit https://myhealth.alberta.ca/help/KB/setting-up-myhealth-records to get started.

Our goal is to reduce the number of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer-related deaths in Alberta by strengthening cancer screening in the province. Here are some ways we’re working to achieve this goal:

• Supporting Albertans in getting cancer screening across the province.
• Sending personalized communication to Albertans who are eligible for breast, cervical and/or colorectal cancer screening.
• Providing timely and accurate information, education and resources to the public and healthcare providers.
• Working with healthcare providers to ensure that patients with abnormal screening results get the follow-up care they need.
• Ensuring quality in every stage of the screening process.

To learn more, download the report:  Organized Cancer Screening in Alberta (2024).

Screening Programs Infographics 

Screening uses specialized tests to find potential health issues or conditions, like cancer, before symptoms appear. People who already have symptoms, or who receive abnormal screening results, have what are called diagnostic tests. These tests are used to confirm or rule out specific health issues or conditions.

Why is cancer screening important?

Finding cancer early on ensures that people can get treatment sooner, when it is likely more effective. In the case of cervical and colorectal cancer, we can often prevent it altogether.

Alberta has 4 provincial, population-based cancer screening programs. These programs screen Albertans for breast, cervical, colorectal cancer and lung cancer screening. They follow guidelines that are based on evidence for screening, and help support healthcare providers and patients to make informed decisions about cancer screening.

Each of the provincial cancer screening programs works a bit differently to meet the needs of eligible people. Here’s what to expect:

Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program (ABCSP)

• If you’re a woman between the ages of 45 and 74, you’re automatically included in the program.
• Once you turn 45, and if you haven’t had a screening mammogram in Alberta already, the ABCSP will send you a letter or message in MyChart, letting you know that you’re at an age when screening is important and inviting you to get screened.
• For all women 40 years and older, once you’ve had a screening mammogram, the radiology clinic will communicate your results to you.
• You may receive reminders if you’re overdue for screening, or mobile announcement letters if you live in a rural community, letting you know when a mobile screening clinic will be in your area.

Breast Letterhead FAQ’s

Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP)

• If you’re a woman between the ages of 25 and 69, you’re automatically included in the ACCSP program.
• If you haven’t already screened for cervical cancer, the ACCSP will send you communication inviting you to get screened.
• After you complete your first Pap or HPV test:
  • Normal screening results will be available via MyChart or communicated through your appropriate care provider.
  • Abnormal or unsatisfactory test results will be mailed, available via MyChart or communicated through your appropriate care provider.
  • Learn more about viewing results online at myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords.
• You’ll get a reminder if you need further testing.
• You’ll also receive reminders if you’re overdue for your next cervical cancer screening.

Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (ACRCSP)

• Adults aged 50 to 74 are automatically included in the program.
• At age 50, you’ll receive a screening invitation.
• FIT results are available from your appropriate care provider and online through your MyChart account.
• If you are 50 to 74 years old and your FIT result is abnormal, you’ll receive a letter by mail with recommended next steps as well as communication from your primary care provider.
• Learn more about viewing results online at myhealth.alberta.ca/myhealthrecords.

Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program (ALCSP)

See below for more information.

To take part in any of these programs, simply start getting screened and stay up-to-date with any follow-up tests that may be needed. Make sure to contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan if there are any changes to your name, address or marital status.

Under the Health Information Act, Primary and Preventative Health Services provides PCA Screening Programs with the names and addresses of eligible Albertans so that we can send you personalized cancer screening communications. All of this is strictly governed by the Health Information Act to ensure your privacy.

If you’ve recently moved or changed your name, see changing your information.

Your privacy is protected

You can be confident that your information is kept secure, private and confidential at all times. PCA Screening Programs staff only have access to your cancer screening results and follow-up test results — they don’t access any of your other health information. Just like your doctor or other healthcare providers, our staff are bound by the Health Information Act.

If you would prefer not to receive information from PCA Screening Programs, learn about program participation options.

Screening Programs is transitioning most of our communication with you to MyChart. However, there may still be some instances when we need to mail you a letter.

Your name, address and marital status must be up-to-date with Primary Preventative Health Services in order to get letters from PCA Screening Programs. You’ll need to update your information with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan if you’ve moved or if your name or marital status has changed.

To do this: Call 310-0000 toll-free in Alberta, then dial (780) 427-1432.

If you’d prefer to make these changes by mail or in person, visit Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to find out how.

There are many benefits to participating in PCA Cancer Screening Programs, including, receiving communications to help you keep on top of screening and results; and, supporting your healthcare provider to know when you’re overdue for follow-up screening.

We realize some Albertans might prefer not to take part. If you choose not to participate, you’ll still have full access to cancer screening services through your healthcare provider.

If you use MyHealth Alberta MyChart, you can change your Communication Preferences settings to opt-out of receiving health communication including that from the program and other health areas.

If you are not a MyHealth Alberta MyChart user and you prefer to no longer receive letters from the program(s), please call us at 1-866-727-3926 Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Your healthcare provider will continue to receive reminder communication from us if you are overdue for follow-up tests.

If you change your mind and would like to receive information from us again, or rejoin the programs, call us at 1-866-727-3926 Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lung cancer screening can save your life. 

Regular screening can lower your risk of dying from lung cancer by at least 25%. The Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program (ALCSP) is accepting new participants until capacity is reached.
Those who are already enrolled will see no changes in their care or ability to receive low-dose CT scans.
Learn more below or contact Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program (ALCSP) directly at 1-866-727-3926.

At this time, PCA Screening Programs is limited to 4 types of cancer screening. This is because there currently isn’t enough evidence showing that other types of cancer screening will reduce the number of cancers or deaths across large populations (known as population-based screening). It may also cause more harm than benefit to those who are screened.

Tests for cancers such as prostate, skin or ovarian cancer may still be useful on an individual level depending on your personal risk and history.  The following links on MyHealth.Alberta.ca can provide you with more information. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about these types of cancer.

• Screening for prostate cancer
• Screening for skin cancer
• Early detection of ovarian cancer