Preventative CareThe Southlake Academic Family Health Team is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) to ensure cancer screening is up to date.
The goal of our preventative care cancer screening service is to reduce the number of cancer diagnoses. In order to do this we have to make sure your cancer screening is up to date. This includes screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.
For more informatiom please visit Cancer Care Ontario at www.cancercareontario.ca
You can also visit My CancerIQ to assess your individual Cancer Risk based on your personal history.
Breast Cancer Screening
Are you aged 50-74?
If you are age 50 to 74, the Ontario Breast Screening Program recommends that most people in your age group get screened every 2 years with mammography.
Getting screened regularly for breast cancer can find cancer earlier, which means that:
- the chance of dying from breast cancer may be lower
- treatment may have a better chance of working
- fewer treatments may be needed and the treatments may be less invasive (or easier to handle)
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Are you aged 50-74?
Research shows that almost 7 out of 10 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no family history of the disease. This means it is important to get screened for colorectal cancer, even if you do not have a family history of the disease. Research also shows that most people who have been diagnosed with the disease are older than age 50. This is why most people should start screening for colorectal cancer at age 50.
Getting screened helps find colorectal cancer early, when it is more likely to be cured. When colorectal cancer is caught early, 9 out of 10 people with the disease can be cured. If someone does not get screened, they could have colorectal cancer and not know it.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Are you 25 or older and sexually active?
The cervical screening test checks for the types of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer. It also checks for cell changes in the cervix caused by these types of HPV.
The cervical screening test has replaced the Pap test because it is better at helping prevent cervical cancer.
Regular screening with the cervical screening test is the best way to lower your chance of getting cervical cancer. Be sure to go for regular cervical screening tests and for more testing after an abnormal test result, if needed.
