Cancer Prevention and Screening

There are many known risk factors for cancer.  For example, smoking is estimated to be responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and one third of cancers can be linked to diet, obesity and lack of exercise.   Incidence of cancer can be reduced through healthy lifestyle choices.  Learn more about cancer, how to reduce the risk, and take part in cancer screening programs.

Cancer Prevention:

To help reduce your risk of developing cancer live well and make healthy choices: 

• Be tobacco-free and avoid second-hand smoke.
• Eat healthy, follow Canadian Food Guidelines.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Be active, follow Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines.
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption.  
• Protect your skin from the sun.
• Get screened. 
• Get Vaccinated.

 

Cancer Screening

Complete a cancer risk assessment and get your personalized action plan now:

 www.MyCancerIQ.ca

 

Screening for Colorectal Cancer

Men and women 50 years of age and older should talk to their health care providers about colorectal cancer screening. As with any cancer, it is important to tell health care providers about any family or personal history of cancer.

Colorectal Screening Guidelines

Ontario's colorectal cancer screening program, ColonCancerCheck recommends men and women aged 50 to 74 should complete a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool sample every two years.

Men and women with a parent, sibling, or child diagnosed with colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy beginning at age 50, or 10 years earlier than the age that their family member was diagnosed, whichever occurs first.

For more information, https://www.cancercare.on.ca/cms/one.aspx?portalId=1377&pageId=323821

Screening for Breast Cancer

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)-( https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-breast-screening-program) provides breast screening mammography services in hospitals and community health centres for women of all ages.

If you are a woman aged 50 years and older, and at average risk for breast cancer,  you should have a mammogram every two years. Regular mammograms (breast x-rays) help with early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

You can make your own appointment for a mammogram by calling your local OBSP program or the Ontario Breast Screening Program:

Temiskaming Hospital - New Liskeard  705-647-1088, Ext. 2129

Kirkland Lake Kirkland and District Hospital 705-568-2127

  

Screening for Cervical Cancer

Regular cervical screening with the Papanicolaou (Pap) test provides a good defense against cervical cancer.  Ontario Cervical Screening Program recommends a Pap test every three years for all women starting at age 21 who are or ever have been sexually active.

 

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