Ministry of Health encourages cancer screenings

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has launched a new initiative to encourage people between the ages of 50 and 74 to get screened for cancer.

The initiative includes an advertising campaign and an online tool called Time to Screen, that allows people to find out if they are in a high-risk category for certain cancers. The online tool also lets users learn more about cancer screening options in Ontario.

“Cancer mortality rates for colorectal, breast and cervical cancers have been declining over the years thanks in part to an increase in screening, but we still have a long way to go,” said Mark Hartman, Health Science North's vice-president of cancer services and medical imaging, in a release.

“We know that cancer screening can save lives and that’s why it’s important that men and women talk to their health-care provider about getting checked.”

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Canada, and colorectal, breast and cervical cancers account for 30 per cent of new cases.

“Screening tests, such as the Fecal Occult Blood test, mammography and Pap tests are free of charge and can detect cancer before any physical symptoms show up, when cancer is most treatable,” said Dr. Linda Rabeneck, vice-president of prevention and cancer control with Cancer Care Ontario, in a relase.