Cervical Cancer Screening Laboratory

The Cervical Cancer Screening Laboratory (CCSL) is funded and operated by PHSA's Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLSM) to provide cervical cancer screening testing to all eligible individuals in British Columbia.

CCSL is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and by the Diagnostic Accreditation Program of British Columbia (ISO 15189).

Lab manual for providers

Updated manual: CCSL Lab Manual for Providers (PDF)

If you have specific questions not addressed in the Lab Manual, please email CCSLClerical@bccancer.bc.ca

Cervix Screening Guidelines

For management of cervix screening results, the latest guidelines, and other cervix screening resources please refer to the BC Cancer Cervix Screening Program website.

Cervix Screening Program Guidelines and Recommendations (PDF).

Information regarding transition to primary HPV testing:

The transition to primary HPV testing began January 29, 2024, including an age-based roll-out for liquid-based (LBC) collections. The HPV self-screening option via a vaginal swab is available to all eligible persons aged 25-69. Please visit the Cervix Screening Program website for more information.

Please note: collection of both a vaginal swab and a liquid-based (LBC) collection for cervix screening is not appropriate, and only one or the other should be collected and submitted to the lab. Please refer to this algorithm for a review of factors that can influence whether a patient can or should self-screen or have a provider-collect LBC sample collected during speculum exam.

Information regarding transition to liquid-based cytology (LBC) collection:

CCSL Transition to Liquid-based Cytology (LBC) Bulletin^{*UPDATED OCT 2022} (PDF)

Update: Conversion to LBC is now mandatory for all cervical cytology (Pap) collectors in the province. Self-directed training and reference materials are found below.

LBC sample collection training materials

Transition to LBC collection involves self-directed training (if required). Please review the 10-minute training video and associated documents below. Please note completion of in-clinic training for the highest volume clinics has been completed.

LBC sample shipping instructions

LBC Packaging and Shipping Instructions

Note: if samples are submitted to the lab via Canada Post, please note that pre-paid envelopes can be obtained through the LBC kit ordering website (details in section below).

LBC vial & Self-collect HPV swab supply ordering

Both liquid-based cytology (LBC) vials (for HPV and/or cytology) as well as vaginal swabs for self-collect/provider collect HPV testing can be ordered online from our fulfilment partner.

The steps are as follows:

Complete the online registration form.
When you receive your log-in details (usually within one business day, you will be directed to the online ordering system.

Here you will be able to order LBC kits (PreservCyt^(R) vials, plastic spatulas and cytobrushes in a plastic bag for shipping), Copan FLOQSwabs for patient/provider-collection and pads of requisitions (if needed).

If you currently use Canada Post for shipping samples to the lab, you will also be able to order packs of pre-paid envelopes.

If you have any questions or issues with the online ordering process or about the status of your order, please contact the fulfilment center helpdesk at:

604-332-4694

helpdesk@silverbacksystems.io

Return of conventional Pap supplies

Please return any clean, unused conventional Pap supplies (unopened boxes of glass slides, blue slide mailers, wooden spatulas) to the lab using your regular courier method (e.g. LifeLabs, MTS). These will be donated elsewhere as appropriate.

Please clearly mark the box or bag with

"Attn CCSL: return of Pap supplies"

‎If you do not have regular courier pick up and use Canada Post for delivering samples, or have any other reason why return of product is not possible, please send an email to CCSLClerical@bccancer.bc.ca.

Small amounts of remaining supplies may be discarded if that is your preference.

Your assistance with this is appreciated.

Handling expired LBC vials or swabs

Expired liquid-based (LBC) vials can be discarded in yellow biohazard bags/bins, or returned to the lab for disposal. Do not discard in regular garbage.

If returning to the lab, please clearly mark the bag with

"Attn CCSL: expired vials"

Expired FLOQSwabs can be discarded in regular garbage.

Requisition & forms

Cervical Cancer Screening Test requisition form (PDF)^{*NEW Jan 2024}

*NEW* A single Cervical Cancer Screening Requisition for HPV and/or cytology is now available, effective for use 29-Jan 2024.

Pap test processing payment form (PDF)

Questions? Contact us

Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm (except statutory holidays)

1-877-PHSA-LAB, option 2
(1-877-747-2522)

CCSLClerical@bccancer.bc.ca

To request registration as a new provider or make changes to existing provider information, please complete the Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services provider update form (PDF) found in the 'Provincial Health Services Authority' section.

Provincial Health Services Authority