Disease Prevention Resources

Cancer Screening

Cancer Care Ontario recommends routine screening for cervical, breast and colon cancer:

• Pap test for females ages 21-70, every 3 years
• Mammogram for females ages 50-74, every 2 years
• Colorectal fecal immunochemical test, ages 50-74, every 2.5 years

More frequent or advanced testing may be required depending on the results of screening tests. Special populations may require other cancer screening tests:

• Lung cancer screening in smokers
• Earlier mammogram +/- breast MRI +/- genetic testing for high risk females
• Colonoscopy for high risk patients (ie: family history of colon cancer, rectal bleeding, weight-loss, change in bowel habit or abnormal fecal immunichemical test)
• Semi-annual skin cancer check in high risk patients
• PSA blood test for prostate cancer in high risk patients

Non-cancer screening includes:

• Blood pressure check in healthy individuals every 2 years
• Fasting blood glucose +/- HbA1C, starting age 40, every 3 years
• Cholesterol check starting age 40 for men and age 50 for women, every 5 years until 75
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening by ultrasound, for males, between ages 65-80
• Bone density test, at age 65

More frequent or earlier testing may be required in high risk patients or those with abnormal initial testing

Immunity:

For a complete vaccination schedule for infants and children, check this Government of Canada resource.