Cancer Screening - Medical and Physical Health
Screening Recommendations by Cancer Type
Section titled “Screening Recommendations by Cancer Type”Check your risk and screening advice at What’s My Risk? | My CancerIQ
Source: Previous cancer screen program guidance from Ontario Ministry of Health in 2017, for latest information see Screening Programs | Cancer Care Ontario for more guidance and programs.
| Cancer Type | Screening Test | Age (influenced by history) |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid | Blood test, *confirmed personal history | adult |
| Breast | Mammogram | 40-50 |
| Colorectal | Colonoscopy | 50 |
| Lung | Chest X-ray | 50 |
| Prostate | Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test | 50 |
| Uterus, Ovary or Cyst, Fibroid | Ultrasound | 40+ |
| Stomach, Esophagus | Gastroscopy | According to compliant of symptoms |
| Cervix | Pap test | 21+ |
Example assessment based on Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Section titled “Example assessment based on Screening for Colorectal Cancer”From My CancerIQ | Learn Your Risk
- Based on family history, there is average risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- You should get screened, see Screening for Colorectal Cancer | Cancer Care Ontario. For example, Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) / Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) every two years between the ages of 50 to 74.
If you have previously had a colonoscopy with clear results during recommended screen times, next screening can be farther out.
Here are symptoms to watch out for:
- Unexplained changes in bowel patterns
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
- Urgent need to empty bowel
- Unexplained stool incontinence (anal leakage)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important that you discuss them with your doctor or nurse practitioner.