Cancer Screening

Community Program

OHIP Covered

Early Detection Saves Lives

Finding cancer early can save your life. Even if you feel healthy, regular cancer screenings can find cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment works best. 

Don’t Have a Family Doctor? 

CarePoint Health provides cancer screening services for all Ontario residents without a doctor or nurse practitioner. Call 905-362-3508 or book your appointment with our nurse practitioner today.

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Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer starts in your colon (large intestine) or rectum. It usually begins as small growths called polyps that can become cancerous over time. Anyone can get colorectal cancer, but your risk increases with age, especially after 50. Your risk is higher if you have a family member who has colorectal cancer.

Early colorectal cancer often has no symptoms. Later signs may include blood in stool, change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or persistent abdominal discomfort.

When to Get Screened

If you're at average risk (50-74 years old with no family history):

• Get tested every 2 years with the FIT test (a simple at-home stool test)
• Or choose a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years

If you're at increased risk (family history of colorectal cancer):

• Start colonoscopy screening at age 50, or 10 years before the age your relative was diagnosed (whichever comes first)

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Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow out of control. It can start in different parts of the breast and may spread to other areas of the body if not caught early. Risk increases with age, especially after 50. Other risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, certain genetic mutations (BRCA1/BRCA2), previous radiation therapy, and specific hormonal factors.

Signs may include a lump in the breast or armpit, breast pain, nipple discharge, breast skin changes, or breast shape changes. However, early breast cancer often has no symptoms.

When to Get Screened

If you're 40-49 years old:

• Talk with your doctor about whether screening is right for you
• If recommended, get a mammogram every 2 years

If you're 50-74 years old:

• Get a mammogram every 2 years

If you're at high risk (ages 30-69):

• Get annual screening with both mammogram AND breast MRI
• Or mammogram and ultrasound if MRI isn't appropriate for you

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Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It's usually caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact. Anyone with a cervix who has been sexually active can develop cervical cancer. Risk factors include HPV infection, smoking, weakened immune system, and long-term birth control pill use.

Early cervical cancer often has no symptoms. Later signs may include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex, or abnormal vaginal discharge. Regular screening can find changes before cancer develops.

When to Get Screened

Get screened every 5 years if you:

• Are sexually active and at least 25 years old
• Are a woman, Two-Spirit person, transmasculine person, or nonbinary person with a cervix
• Have no symptoms like unusual bleeding or discharge
• Research shows that most people need cervical screening every 5 years from ages 25 to 69. 
• Getting screened for human papillomavirus (HPV) with a cervical screening test every 5 years is as effective as getting screened with a Pap test every 3 years.

You still need screening if you:

• Have had the HPV vaccine
• Are post-menopausal
• Haven't had sexual contact recently
• Only had protected sex
• Are in a same-sex relationship
• Are pregnant