Cancer Screening

Learn more about how cancer screening can help detect cancer early.

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.

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.