Health Fact Sheets
Colorectal, cervical and breast cancer screening tests, 2024

Release date: August 6, 2025

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Summary

New provincial data from the 2024 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) show that:

Background

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada. In 2023, just over one quarter (26%) of deaths among residents of Canada were due to cancer.Note  Approximately two in five Canadians are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime.Note  As a result, cancer screening is important for early detection of disease, which can result in improved treatment outcomes.

This fact sheet provides an overview of proportions of Canadians who have undergone tests commonly used for early detection of colorectal, cervical and breast cancer among people living in the ten provinces. It also examines differences by various groups, such as by sex, age, province, area type, racialized group, immigrant status, Indigenous group and disability status.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in Canada. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), or flexible sigmoidoscopy are tests often used to screen for colorectal cancer. These tests are offered to those aged 50-74 in many provinces, but guidelines vary by province and have changed over time. Given that this analysis does not cover those who have had a colonoscopy, there may be an undercounting of the proportion of Canadians who have undergone screening for colorectal cancer.

At the provincial level, among those aged 50-74, a higher proportion of those living in British Columbia (53%), Nova Scotia (57%), Alberta (60%) and Saskatchewan (68%) reported having a recent colorectal test compared with the national average (49%). On the other hand, a lower proportion of those living in Newfoundland and Labrador (30%), Prince Edward Island (35%), New Brunswick (35%) and Ontario (45%) reported having had a recent colorectal test. Furthermore, about half (50%) of people living in rural areas in Canada reported having a recent test, which was similar to people living in urban areas (49%).

A similar proportion of recent (54%) and established (49%) immigrants reported having a recent test when compared to the Canadian-born population (49%).

In 2024, among those aged 50-74, a similar proportion of First Nations people living off reserve (47%) and Métis (52%) reported having a recent colorectal test when compared to the non-Indigenous population (49%).

Among people who identified as a person with a disability, 49% reported having had a recent colorectal test, which was the same as those without a disability (49%).

In 2024, of the 49% of adults aged 50-74 who reported having a recent colorectal test, via either a recent fecal occult blood test or a recent sigmoidoscopy, the vast majority (97%) reported having a fecal test. Several reasons for not having a recent fecal test were reported by people aged 50-74. In 2024, 31% of people reported that the reason they did not have a recent fecal test was because their health care provider did not think it was necessary and/or never brought it up. Furthermore, 26% of people reported the reason was that they did not think it was necessary, 23% of people reported the reason was that they had a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy instead of a fecal test, and 7% reported that the reason was because they didn’t have a regular health care provider.

Table 1
Had a fecal test within the past 2 years or a sigmoidoscopy within the past 10 years, ages 50-74, Canada excluding the territories, 2024 Table summary
This table displays the results of Had a fecal test within the past 2 years or a sigmoidoscopy within the past 10 years, ages 50-74, Canada excluding the territories, 2024 2017, 2024, Had a recent fecal test (past 2 years) or a sigmoidoscopy (past 10 years), 95% confidence interval, Had a recent fecal test (past 2 years) or a sigmoidoscopy (past 10 years), 95% confidence interval, Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit and Upper limit, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
  2017 2024
Had a recent fecal test (past 2 years) or a sigmoidoscopy (past 10 years) 95% confidence interval Had a recent fecal test (past 2 years) or a sigmoidoscopy (past 10 years) 95% confidence interval
Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit
percentage
Note *

Significantly different from previous reference period (p < 0.05)

Return to note&nbsp;* referrer

Note 1

Population centres are those continuously built-up areas having a population concentration of 1,000 or more, and a population density of 400 or more per square kilometre based on Census population counts. Rural areas are areas with a population concentration of less than 1,000.

Return to note&nbsp;1 referrer

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 2024
Canada Total (excluding territories) 43.4 42.4 44.4 49.0 Table 1 Note * 48.0 50.1
Sex  
Male 42.5 41.0 43.9 49.4 Table 1 Note * 47.9 50.9
Female 44.3 42.8 45.7 48.7 Table 1 Note * 47.2 50.2
Age group  
50 to 59 years 38.5 36.8 40.2 43.7 Table 1 Note * 41.8 45.6
60 to 74 years 47.7 46.4 49.0 52.5 Table 1 Note * 51.2 53.7
Province  
Newfoundland and Labrador 27.2 22.7 31.6 29.7 24.7 34.6
Prince Edward Island 38.8 33.1 44.6 35.2 27.6 42.8
Nova Scotia 48.2 44.3 52.1 56.5 Table 1 Note * 52.9 60.1
New Brunswick 32.8 28.3 37.2 35.2 30.9 39.6
Quebec 40.4 38.4 42.3 48.6 Table 1 Note * 46.5 50.6
Ontario 39.4 37.4 41.4 44.9 Table 1 Note * 42.9 46.9
Manitoba 53.0 48.1 57.9 50.1 46.2 53.9
Saskatchewan 58.2 53.7 62.8 67.9 Table 1 Note * 63.9 72.0
Alberta 54.8 51.9 57.6 59.9 Table 1 Note * 57.0 62.7
British Columbia 49.6 47.0 52.3 52.8 50.0 55.5
Area type Table 1 Note 1  
Urban (Population Centre) 43.3 42.0 44.5 48.8 Table 1 Note * 47.6 50.1
Rural area 43.9 42.0 45.7 49.8 Table 1 Note * 47.9 51.7

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally.Note  Pap smear tests are used to look for abnormal cells in the cervix which can help detect cervical cancer.

In 2024, among females aged 25-69, a lower proportion of females living in Prince Edward Island (60%), Nova Scotia (62%), Quebec (63%) and British Columbia (66%) reported having a recent Pap smear test, compared to the national average (69%). Note that some provinces have either transitioned to, or are in the process of transitioning to human papillomavirus (HPV) tests for regular cervical cancer screening (see HPV Testing section below). Furthermore, a higher proportion of females aged 25-69 living in Ontario (71%), Saskatchewan (75%) and Alberta (75%) reported having a recent Pap smear test compared to the national average (69%). Among females living in rural areas in Canada, 68% reported having a recent Pap smear test, which was similar to females living in urban areas (69%).

Pap smear participation rates also differed by racialized group and immigrant status (Table 4). In 2024, a lower proportion of Arab (49%), South Asian (55%) and Chinese (63%) females aged 25-69 reported having a recent Pap smear test when compared to non-racialized, non-Indigenous females (71%). Furthermore, a lower proportion of non-permanent residents (46%) and established immigrants (65%) reported having a recent Pap test compared with Canadian-born females (71%).

Meanwhile, 70% of First Nations females living off reserve and 71% of Métis females reported having had a recent Pap test, which was similar to the non-Indigenous population (69%).

Among females who identified as a person with a disability, 58% reported having had a recent Pap smear test, which was lower than those without a disability (70%).

Several different reasons were reported for not having a recent Pap smear test. In 2024, 26% of females reported that the reason they did not have a recent test was because they did not think it was necessary. Furthermore, 25% of females reported that the reason was because their health care provider did not think it was necessary or never brought it up. Other reasons for not getting a recent Pap smear test were because the female reported not having the time to get a test(13%), did not have a regular health care provider (13%) or had feelings of fear or discomfort (11%).

HPV Testing

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer.Note  HPV tests are able to detect high-risk types of HPV in cervical cells, and can be done less frequently when compared to Pap tests. In Canada, HPV tests are increasingly replacing Pap tests. In 2023, Prince Edward Island became the first province to replace Pap tests with HPV tests for regular cervical cancer screening, and other provinces/territories have either switched or are in the process of transitioning to HPV tests as the primary cervical cancer screening test.

Table 2
Had a Pap smear test within the past 3 years, females aged 25-69, Canada excluding the territories, 2024 Table summary
This table displays the results of Had a Pap smear test within the past 3 years, females aged 25-69, Canada excluding the territories, 2024 2017, 2024, Had a recent Pap smear test (past 3 years), 95% confidence interval , Had a recent Pap smear test (past 3 years), 95% confidence interval (low), Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit and Upper limit, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
  2017 2024
Had a recent Pap smear test (past 3 years) 95% confidence interval Had a recent Pap smear test (past 3 years) 95% confidence interval (low)
Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit
percentage
Note *

Significantly different from previous reference period (p < 0.05)

Return to note&nbsp;* referrer

Note 1

Population centres are those continuously built-up areas having a population concentration of 1,000 or more, and a population density of 400 or more per square kilometre based on Census population counts. Rural areas are areas with a population concentration of less than 1,000.

Return to note&nbsp;1 referrer

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 2024
Canada Total (excluding territories) 74.0 73.1 75.0 68.7 Table 2 Note * 67.5 69.9
Age group  
25 to 34 years 79.2 77.1 81.3 69.6 Table 2 Note * 66.7 72.5
35 to 49 years 79.4 77.8 81.1 74.7 Table 2 Note * 72.8 76.6
50 to 69 years 67.3 65.8 68.7 63.4 Table 2 Note * 61.8 65.1
Province  
Newfoundland and Labrador 78.5 74.5 82.5 67.7 Table 2 Note * 62.1 73.3
Prince Edward Island 69.4 63.8 75.0 60.4 51.5 69.4
Nova Scotia 75.7 72.0 79.5 61.8 Table 2 Note * 57.7 65.9
New Brunswick 76.0 71.7 80.3 64.5 Table 2 Note * 59.4 69.6
Quebec 67.6 65.6 69.7 63.4 Table 2 Note * 61.1 65.8
Ontario 75.3 73.5 77.1 71.0 Table 2 Note * 68.7 73.3
Manitoba 81.7 78.3 85.2 72.6 Table 2 Note * 68.1 77.1
Saskatchewan 78.8 75.2 82.4 74.5 70.4 78.6
Alberta 80.2 78.1 82.3 74.9 Table 2 Note * 72.1 77.6
British Columbia 72.2 69.5 74.8 65.5 Table 2 Note * 62.6 68.4
Area type Table 2 Note 1  
Urban (Population Centre) 74.7 73.5 75.8 69.0 Table 2 Note * 67.6 70.3
Rural area 71.2 69.3 73.1 67.6 Table 2 Note * 65.4 69.7

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Canada. It is recommended that women aged 50 to 74, who are at average or moderately increased risk of breast cancer, screen for breast cancer by having a routine mammogram every two to three years.

Differences in mammogram participation among females aged 50 to 74 exist between the provinces. In 2024, 84% of females living in Alberta and 81% of females living in Ontario reported having a recent mammogram, which was higher than the national average (79%). On the other hand, a lower proportion of females living in British Columbia (73%), Manitoba (72%), New Brunswick (68%), Nova Scotia (67%)  and Prince Edward Island (67%) reported having a recent mammogram compared to the national average (79%). No differences were observed between mammogram participation among females living in urban areas (79%) and rural areas (79%).

Furthermore, 20% of females reported that the reason was because their health care provider did not think a mammogram was necessary or never brought it up, 12% reported the reason was because of feelings of fear or discomfort, and 12% reported the reason for not having a recent mammogram was because they did not have a health care provider.

No statistically significant differences were observed in mammogram participation between the immigrant population and the Canadian-born population (Table 4). Among First Nations females aged 50 to 74 living off reserve, 71% reported having a recent mammogram, which was lower than non-Indigenous females (79%). Among Métis females, 77% reported having a recent mammogram, which was similar to non-Indigenous females (79%).

In 2024, among females aged 50-74 who identified as a person with a disability, 71% reported having had a recent mammogram, which was lower than those without a disability (80%).

Table 3
Had a mammogram within the past 3 years, females aged 50-74, Canada excluding the territories, 2024 Table summary
This table displays the results of Had a mammogram within the past 3 years, females aged 50-74, Canada excluding the territories, 2024 2017, 2024, Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 40-49, 95% confidence interval, Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 50-74, 95% confidence interval, Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 40-49, 95% confidence interval, Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 50-74, 95% confidence interval, Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit and Upper limit, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
  2017 2024
Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 40-49 95% confidence interval Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 50-74 95% confidence interval Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 40-49 95% confidence interval Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 50-74 95% confidence interval
Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit
percentage
Note E

use with caution

Note F

too unreliable to be published

Note *

Significantly different from previous reference period (p < 0.05)

Return to note&nbsp;* referrer

Note 1

Population centres are those continuously built-up areas having a population concentration of 1,000 or more, and a population density of 400 or more per square kilometre based on Census population counts. Rural areas are areas with a population concentration of less than 1,000.

Return to note&nbsp;1 referrer

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 2024
Canada Total (excluding territories) 36.1 33.7 38.5 78.5 77.2 79.7 33.6 31.2 35.9 78.5 77.4 79.7
Province  
Newfoundland and Labrador 56.4 45.8 66.9 75.9 70.3 81.5 45.6 E use with caution 32.0 E use with caution 59.2 E use with caution 71.9 64.8 79.1
Prince Edward Island 47.1 E use with caution 31.8 E use with caution 62.5 E use with caution 70.1 63.0 77.2 F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published 66.5 56.8 76.1
Nova Scotia 50.2 39.9 60.5 73.4 68.5 78.2 49.4 39.7 59.1 67.4 62.3 72.5
New Brunswick 28.6 18.8 38.5 83.3 78.5 88.1 22.9 14.6 31.3 67.7 Table 3 Note * 61.4 74.0
Quebec 26.9 22.2 31.7 80.9 78.4 83.4 23.4 19.1 27.7 79.4 77.0 81.9
Ontario 32.1 27.5 36.6 79.4 77.1 81.7 29.9 25.4 34.4 81.2 79.0 83.4
Manitoba 26.1 16.2 36.0 72.3 66.5 78.2 17.9 9.1 26.6 71.8 66.7 76.8
Saskatchewan 35.9 25.4 46.4 80.1 75.5 84.7 24.2 15.6 32.9 77.7 72.8 82.5
Alberta 50.1 43.8 56.3 80.4 77.4 83.3 51.0 44.7 57.3 83.7 81.2 86.1
British Columbia 47.3 41.5 53.2 72.3 69.0 75.5 45.1 38.3 51.9 72.9 69.6 76.2
Area type Table 3 Note 1  
Urban (Population Centre) 37.0 34.2 39.9 78.3 76.8 79.8 33.8 31.2 36.4 78.5 77.2 79.9
Rural area 31.3 26.9 35.8 79.1 77.3 81.0 31.7 26.5 37.0 78.6 76.5 80.6
Table 4
Had a recent colorectal test, Pap smear test or mammogram, by population group, Canada, excluding the territories, 2024 Table summary
This table displays the results of Had a recent colorectal test, Pap smear test or mammogram, by population group, Canada, excluding the territories, 2024 Had a recent fecal test (past 2 years) or a sigmoidoscopy (past 10 years), age 50-74, 95% confidence interval, Had a recent Pap smear test (past 3 years), age 25-69, 95% confidence interval, Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 50-74, 95% confidence interval, Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit, Upper limit, Lower limit and Upper limit, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
  Had a recent fecal test (past 2 years) or a sigmoidoscopy (past 10 years), age 50-74 95% confidence interval Had a recent Pap smear test (past 3 years), age 25-69 95% confidence interval Had a recent mammogram (past 3 years), age 50-74 95% confidence interval
Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit Lower limit Upper limit
percentage
Note E

use with caution

Note F

too unreliable to be published

Note *

Significantly different from reference category (p < 0.05)

Return to note&nbsp;* referrer

Note 1

The 'Immigrated less than 10 years ago' and 'Immigrated 10 years ago or more' categories exclude non-permanent residents.

Return to note&nbsp;1 referrer

Note 2

The Indigenous population includes First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit outside of Inuit Nunangat. Indigenous status is based on the self-reported answer to "Are you First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)? First Nations (North American Indian) includes Status and Non-Status Indians."

Return to note&nbsp;2 referrer

Note 3

A person with a disability is a person who has a long-term difficulty or condition, such as vision, hearing, mobility, flexibility, dexterity, pain, learning, developmental, memory or mental health-related impairments, that limit their daily activities inside or outside the home such as at school, work, or in the community in general.

Return to note&nbsp;3 referrer

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 2024
Canada Total (excluding territories) 49.1 45.9 52.3 68.7 67.5 69.9 78.5 77.4 79.7
Racilized population  
Racialized population 49.2 46.0 52.4 62.7 Table 4 Note * 59.6 65.8 77.3 73.5 81.1
South Asian 47.5 39.8 55.1 54.6 Table 4 Note * 47.3 61.9 69.4 58.0 80.8
Chinese 52.4 45.4 59.3 62.5 Table 4 Note * 56.4 68.6 75.5 67.6 83.4
Black 46.9 38.2 55.7 66.6 59.3 74.0 79.7 70.7 88.7
Filipino 56.2 47.2 65.3 66.8 58.3 75.3 82.8 74.0 91.5
Latin American 41.6 30.3 52.9 77.2 69.7 84.7 82.4 E use with caution 72.1 E use with caution 92.7 E use with caution
Arab 36.7 Table 4 Note * 25.1 48.3 49.2 Table 4 Note * 37.8 60.6 F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
Southeast Asian 53.7 E use with caution 37.4 E use with caution 70.1 E use with caution 59.7 47.3 72.1 F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
West Asian 45.8 E use with caution 30.3 E use with caution 61.3 66.0 E use with caution 50.3 E use with caution 81.7 E use with caution 90.6 E use with caution Table 4 Note * 81.6 E use with caution 99.7 E use with caution
Korean 56.1 E use with caution 39.0 E use with caution 73.3 E use with caution 69.9 E use with caution 54.6 E use with caution 85.2 E use with caution F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
Japanese 61.3 E use with caution 45.0 E use with caution 77.5 E use with caution 82.4 E use with caution 69.7 E use with caution 95.1 E use with caution F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
Visible minority not indicated elsewhere/multiple visible minorities F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published 80.0 E use with caution 69.6 E use with caution 90.3 E use with caution F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
Non-racialized population (Reference category) 49.2 48.1 50.3 71.3 70.1 72.5 79.0 77.7 80.2
Immigration status  
Immigrants Table 4 Note 1 48.7 46.2 51.2 65.0 Table 4 Note * 62.3 67.6 78.3 75.5 81.2
Immigrated less than 10 years ago 53.6 42.4 64.8 66.7 61.9 71.5 64.2 E use with caution 47.2 E use with caution 81.1 E use with caution
Immigrated 10 years ago or more 48.6 46.0 51.1 64.8 Table 4 Note * 61.5 68.0 79.1 76.1 82.1
Non-permanent residents F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published 46.1 Table 4 Note * 35.5 56.6 F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
Canadian-born (Reference category) 49.3 48.2 50.3 71.1 69.9 72.4 78.7 77.4 79.9
Indigenous identity  
Indigenous people Table 4 Note 2 49.9 45.9 53.8 70.5 66.6 74.3 73.0 Table 4 Note * 68.6 77.5
First Nations people living off reserve 46.8 40.1 53.4 69.7 63.8 75.7 70.8 Table 4 Note * 63.6 78.1
Métis 52.1 47.1 57.1 70.6 65.3 75.8 76.5 71.0 82.0
Inuit F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published F too unreliable to be published
Non-Indigenous (Reference category) 49.1 48.0 50.2 68.7 67.5 70.0 78.6 77.4 79.8
Disability Table 4 Note 3  
Identifies as a person with a disability 48.5 45.7 51.2 57.9 Table 4 Note * 54.5 61.3 71.1 Table 4 Note * 67.8 74.4
Does not identify as a person with a disability (Reference category) 49.1 48.0 50.3 69.8 68.5 71.1 79.5 78.3 80.8

Data

The data used are from the 2024 annual cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey, which covers respondents living in the provinces. Data were collected from January 2, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Territorial data were not included in this analysis, given that the coverage of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) in 2024 does not represent the entire population of the territories. This analysis includes only non-proxy respondents.

In this release, a colorectal test includes a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as well as a sigmoidoscopy. An FOBT, which is simply referred to as a fecal test in this release, includes the Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) as well as a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT).

Respondents could select multiple reasons as to why they did not have a recent fecal test, Pap smear test, or mammogram.

In this release, data on "racialized groups" are measured with the "visible minority" variable. The "non-racialized group" is measured with the category "Not a visible minority" of the variable, excluding Indigenous respondents. For the purpose of this study, Indigenous respondents are not part of the racialized group, nor the non-racialized group. "Visible minority" refers to whether or not a person belongs to one of the visible minority groups defined by the Employment Equity Act. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour." The visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese.

In this release, "recent immigrants" refers to those who were admitted into Canada permanently less than 10 years before the survey was conducted. Established immigrants refers to those who were admitted into Canada permanently 10 or more years before the survey was conducted. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group. Non-permanent residents are those who are from another country with a usual place of residence in Canada and who have a work or study permit or who have claimed refugee status (asylum claimants).

Indigenous group is based on the self-reported answer to the question "Are you First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)? First Nations (North American Indian) includes Status and Non-Status Indians." The CCHS does not collect data on reserves in the provinces. Consequently, the results discussed for First Nations people exclude those living on reserve. In addition, people living in the territories, including First Nations people, Métis and a large proportion of Inuit, are excluded, as well as the majority of Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland. As a result, these exclusions may impact the estimates for Indigenous populations.

Reliable estimates for the Inuit population could not be produced, due to an insufficient sample size.

As defined in the CCHS questionnaire, a person with a disability is a person who has a long-term difficulty or condition, such as vision, hearing, mobility, flexibility, dexterity, pain, learning, developmental, memory or mental health-related impairments, that limit their daily activities inside or outside the home such as at school, work, or in the community in general.

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