Cancer Screening Services
Cancer screening is an important way to find cancer early, when it is small and easiest to treat. It is important to do cancer screening even if you feel well or have no symptoms.
Our Screening Programs
There are four organized cancer screening programs in Ontario. This includes screening for breast, colon, cervical, and lung cancers. You do not need to pay for cancer screening if you have OHIP coverage.
Cancer screening may start at different ages, depending on several risk factors. Use this helpful picture to know when you need to be screened for each type of cancer.
Talk to your family doctor or nurse practitioner about cancer screening.
Call 811 to ask for cancer screening, if you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Click the "Contact Us" button if you need more information or have questions about cancer screening.
Available Screening Programs
Breast Screening
Mamography screening for early detection
Cervical Screening
HPV
Screening
Colorectal Screening
Tests for early
detection
Lung Screening
For people at high-risk for lung cancer
Cancer Screening
Breast Cancer – Cancer Care Ontario
Cervical Cancer – Cancer Care Ontario
Colorectal Cancer – Cancer Care Ontario
Lung Cancer – Cancer Care Ontario
Find cancer early | Canadian Cancer Society
Screening in LGBTQ communities | Canadian Cancer Society
Get Checked for Cancer – Cancer Care Ontario
Indigenous Cancer Screening Resources – Cancer Care Ontario
Make informed decisions
Myths about cancer screening can make people worry or avoid getting tested. But many of these ideas are not true. Knowing the real facts helps us make better choices and find cancer early, when it is easier to treat. This information below will help you understand what is true and what is not, so you can feel more confident about your health.
| I feel fine. I am healthy. I do not need to do cancer screening. | Cancer screening is for people who have no symptoms. It can find cancer when it is small and easier to treat. This allows you the best chance of being cured. |
| I do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. I cannot do cancer screening. | You do not need a family doctor or nurse practitioner to receive cancer screening. Call 811 and ask for cancer screening, or go to the web page for each screening program to learn how to get screened without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. |
| Cancer screening is painful. | Cancer screening tests can be uncomfortable for some people. Waiting to find a cancer when it may have grown or spread can make it harder to treat and cause more health problems. Cancer screening appointments are only a few minutes each. A few minutes of discomfort is much better than a long cancer journey with multiple treatments. |
| I am afraid to find out I have cancer. | Cancer screening can confirm you do not have cancer. Cancer screening can find cancer when it is small and easier to treat. This allows you the best chance of being cured. |
For more information about myths and misconceptions around cancer and cancer screening