In Ontario, there are four cancer screening programs that screen for Lung, Colorectal, Breast and Cervical cancers. Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) oversees all four of these programs and has great resources on their website. 

While there are many more types of cancer, only these four have standard screening programs for eligible Ontario residents. If you are concerned about your risk for other cancers, you should speak with your provider about your symptoms, individual risk, and what you can do to prevent cancer. 

Lung Cancer Screening

​Lung cancer screening is available to individuals at high risk for lung cancer. 
You may be at high risk if you:

• are 55 to 80 years old
• have smoked cigarettes every day for at least 20 years (it does not have to be 20 years in a row, which means there could be times when you did not smoke)

Find out more about the potential benefits and harms of lung cancer screening from CCO here

​The best way to prevent lung cancer is to avoid exposure to smoke by quitting smoking if you currently smoke.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

​FIT 
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a screening test for colorectal cancer. The test detects blood in your stool (poop) which can be a sign of pre-cancer. FIT is safe to use and can be done in your own home by following the instructions provided with your kit.

If you are between the ages of 50-74, it is recommended that you complete a FIT every 2 years. Some patients are excluded if they have had other tests performed (such as a colonoscopy within the last 10 years), or have been treated for cancer. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, screening will look different for you. 

Please check the expiry date on the FIT and complete it as soon as possible when you receive it. If you send in an expired test, it will not be able to be used, and you will be asked to repeat the screening test. 
If eligible, your doctor will order the kit for you. You can request one when eligible through the "FIT Fecal Immunochemical Test Request" Qnaire, available in the Patient Portal. It will be mailed directly to you at the mailing address we have on file within about 10 days.
​For more information, visit Cancer Care Ontario’s website.

Breast Cancer Screening

In October 2024 the age for breast cancer screening lowered to start at 40 years old for some individuals. 

​Mammography
Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast and is used as a diagnostic and screening tool. The goal of mammography is to screen for breast cancers when they are small and are less likely to have spread (metastasized) and more likely to be treated successfully. Standard screening for individuals at normal risk occurs every 2 years from age 50-74. 
If you are in the new 40-49 age group, check out information specific to you from CCO.

Eligible individuals can contact any Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) site to make an appointment. A doctor's referral is not needed. To find your nearest OBSP site, call 1-800-668-9304 or visit the OBSP website.

High Risk
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) screens women ages 30-69 who are identified as being at high risk for breast cancer. For more information, visit Cancer Care Ontario’s website.
​

Cervical Cancer Screening

As of March 3rd, 2025, all new cervical cancer screening tests now test for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This change is to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening tests as HPV is the main cause of the cell changes in the cervix that cause cervical cancer. 
The screening test experience is the same for patients, as a sample of cells will still be needed from the cervix. 

• Screening starts at age 25
• Test results will be categorized based on high-risk HPV strain
• Tests positive for high-risk HPV strain will be referred to specialist care for further testing (colposcopy)
• A negative test result will be followed by 5-year repeated screening

Who should get cervical cancer screening? 

• ​​Any person with a cervix (ie. women, two-spirit, trans, or non-binary with a cervix), AND
• Age 25-69 years old, AND
• Have ever had sexual contact with another person, AND
• 3 years since your last pap test (if a normal result, possibly sooner if abnormal)

Learn more on our Cervical Cancer Screening webpage or from CCO

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