Eligibility for Cancer Screening in Ontario
There are 4 cancer screening programs in Ontario. Please see eligibility for each program below. If you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility, contact your primary care provider.
If you do not have a primary care provider, contact Ontario Health at 1-866-662-9233 or self-refer to the Champlain Screening Outreach by calling 1-833-551-4125 or visiting the online booking page.
Cervical cancer screening
- Age 25-70 with an intact cervix AND you have ever been sexually active
- You may qualify for screening starting at age 21 if you are immunocompromised, have been diagnosed with lupus, or are on dialysis
- If you live in the Renfrew County and do not have a primary care provider, you can book a pap test in your community through RC VTAC's website at www.rcvtac.ca
Breast cancer screening
- Age 50-74 women, trans or non-binary people
- If you have a positive family history of breast cancer you may qualify for high-risk screening beginning at age 30
Colorectal cancer screening
- Age 50-74 for all
- If a first-degree family member (parent, sibling, child) has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, you may qualify for high-risk screening starting either at age 50 or 10 years before the age your family member was diagnosed (whichever comes first)
Lung cancer screening:
- Age 55-74 AND you have smoked cigarettes every day for at least 20 years 20 years of smoking - does not need to be consecutive or current
- If you meet above criteria, you can be referred to the Ontario Lung Screening Program, and a Nurse Navigator will contact you to confirm eligibility
Cancer screening is done with the goal of detecting cancers early in individuals who are not having any symptoms. If you are experiencing post-menopausal vaginal bleeding, one or multiple breast lumps, rectal bleeding, unintentional weight loss, or coughing up blood you need to be evaluated in-person either with your primary care provider or at a walk-in clinic for a physical exam and diagnostic work-up.
If it is an emergency, please call 911 or present immediately to the emergency department.
