Cancer screening tests can detect some types of cancer before you develop any symptoms. They can detect pre-cancerous changes before they become cancer and find cancer at an early stage.
Cancer that is diagnosed early is more likely to be treated successfully.
Speak with your health-care provider to learn more about your risk of getting cancer and which screening tests are right for you.
My Cancer IQ, a web-based tool from Cancer Care Ontario, helps you complete a cancer risk assessment. You can use this information to have a conversation with your health-care provider.
Not all types of cancer can be detected by screening. Screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer are the most common.
Breast cancer screening
Getting screened for breast cancer can help find a tumour before it grows larger. The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) supports routine breast screening. We provide breast cancer screening services at the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre.
Ontario Breast Screening Program
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) offers mammograms beginning at age 40 for people who are considered to be at an average risk for developing breast cancer.
If you are between the ages of 40 and 49, the OBSP recommends speaking with your physician to decide whether breast cancer screening is right for you.
If you are between age 50 and 74, the OBSP recommends getting screened every two years.
If you are between age 40 and 74, the screening is covered by OHIP and you do not need a referral from a health-care provider.
If you are over the age of 74, you need a referral from a physician in order to get screened. The screening will be covered by OHIP with a referral.
OBSP High Risk Screening Program
You can get screened through the OBSP High Risk Screening Program if you are aged 30 to 69, referred by a physician, have a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) number, have any acute breast symptoms and fall into one of the following risk categories.
You are in a higher risk category if you have:
- A gene mutation that increases your risk for breast cancer (for example, BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1)
- A first-degree relative of someone with a gene mutation that increases your risk for breast cancer and have either had genetic counselling or decided not to have genetic testing
- Been assessed by a genetics clinic as having a 25 per cent or higher lifetime risk of breast cancer based on personal and family
- A history of chest radiation therapy for another cancer or condition (like Hodgkin Lymphoma) before age 30 at least eight years ago
If you are considered high risk, the OBSP recommends getting screened for breast cancer once a year.
Speak with a physician to be referred to this program.
Cervical cancer screening
Regular screening, follow-up of abnormal pap test results and being vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) help prevent cervical cancer.
Speak with your health-care provider to learn more about cervical cancer screening. You can also find more information about how to get screened for cervical cancer on Cancer Care Ontario.
Colorectal cancer screening
Screening can find colorectal cancer early on. When it is found early enough, patients with colorectal cancer have a 90 per cent chance of being cured. The type of screening test you need depends on your risk of getting colorectal cancer.
You qualify for screening if you are between 50 and 74 years old or if you have a parent, sibling or child who has had colorectal cancer. You can find more information about how to get screened for colorectal cancer and the types of screening available on Cancer Care Ontario.
Screening can also detect polyps before they become cancerous. A polyp is a clump of cells in thelining of the colon. Polyps are usually benign, but over time they can become cancerous.
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is an at home screening test for people at average risk of getting colorectal cancer. You can get this screening test from your health-care provider physician.
The Mount Sinai Colorectal Diagnostic Assessment Program supports patients who have had a positive FIT test, have concerning colorectal symptoms or newly diagnosed patients.
