Cancer screening is for people who feel fine.
If you have any signs or symptoms, like lumps, pain or bleeding, see a doctor or nurse practitioner as soon as possible.
No Family Doctor? You Can still get checked for Cancer
Cancer screening is testing for people who may be at risk of getting cancer, but have no symptoms and generally feel fine. Getting screened for cancer can help find cancer early, before you feel sick and when it is easiest to treat.
In Ontario, most people can get regular tests to check for colon, cervical and breast cancer.
ColonCancerCheck
(Colorectal Screening)
A Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) checks your stool (poop) for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by colon cancer or some types of polyps.
An abnormal FIT result means there is blood in your stool. Having blood in your stool does not always mean you have cancer. You will need to get a colonoscopy to find out.
You can get a FIT test by calling Health811 (dial 811 on your phone). They will mail the test to your home.
When you are done with the FIT kit, you can mail it back for free or drop it off at a LifeLabs near you.
People who have a parent, sibling or child diagnosed with colon cancer before age 60 should have a colonoscopy at age 50 or 10 years earlier than the age the relative was diagnosed.
Ontario Breast Screening Program
(Breast Screening)
Average Risk
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that takes pictures of the inside of the breast.
To book a mammogram, call 1-800-668-9304 or click here to find a screening location near you.
You do not need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
High Risk
Eligible people can be screened once a year with mammogram and MRI. Breast MRI uses radio waves and a magnetic field to make images that can be viewed on a computer.
For the High Risk program, a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner is required.
Call Health811 (dial 811 on your phone) to get help finding a doctor or nurse practitioner who can give you a referral.
Ontario Cervical Screening Program
(Cervical Screening)
An HPV test, which used to be called a Pap test is done by a family doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse. They insert a small swab inside the vagina to take a sample of the cervix.
The sample is sent to a lab to check for types of HPV that can sometimes cause cervical cancer.
You should get screened if you are age 25 and older and have ever had sexual contact with another person.
If you have unusual symptoms like different bleeding or discharge from the vagina, please talk to a doctor or nurse practitioner.
People need to get cervical screening even if they:
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Have had the HPV vaccine
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Feel Healthy
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Have been through menopause
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Have not had any family members with cervical cancer
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Have had sexual contact with only 1 person
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Have had the same sexual partner for a long time
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Have not had sexual contact in a long time
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Have only had protected sexual contact
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Are in a same-sex relationship
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Are pregnant
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Have had a subtotal hysterectomy and kept their cervix
If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can use the map below to find a clinic near you who offers HPV tests for cervical screening. Please contact the clinics directly for appointment availability.
Cervical Screening Locations
Clinic Name | City | Postal Code | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Allaura Medical Centre - Walk-in Clinic | Aurora | L4G 3S5 | 905-713-1717 | http://Allauramedical.com |
Central Bolton Walk-In Clinic | Bolton | L7E 2B5 | 905-951-1234 | http://www.centralboltonwalkinclinic.ca |
Bolton Walk-in Clinic | Bolton | L7E 4C8 | 905-857-3260 | http://www.boltonwalkinclinic.com |
Trinity Medical and Travel Clinic - East Gwillimbury | East Gwillimbury | L9N 0J3 | 905-895-0008 | http://www.trinmedi.com |
Keswick Medical And Wellness Clinic - Medical Walk-in and Nurses Clinic | Keswick | L4P 4C9 | 905-535-5556 | http://www.keswickmedclinic.com |
Carefirst Mobile Cervical Screening Clinic | Markham | L3R 3K7 | 416-502-2323 ext 6191 | https://www.picktime.com/home/carefirstmobilecervicalscreening |
North GTA Health Centre - Newmarket - Walk-in clinic / Family Practice | Newmarket | L3Y 8S3 | 905-235-2620 | http://www.northgtahealth.ca/medical-clinic#WalkInClinic |
York Medical - Richmond Hill | Richmond Hill | L4C 3C9 | 905-770-9096 | http://www.medicentres.com |
Elgin Mills Crossing Medical Clinic | Richmond Hill | L4S 0B2 | 905-770-7143 | http://elgincrossing.ca |
Yorkdale Medical Clinic | Richmond Hill | L4E 0K7 | 905-770-9057 | http://yorkdalemed.com |
Community Health Clinic - Stouffville | Stouffville | L4A 3Z2 | 905-472-7658 | https://eyrndohtich.inputhealth.com/ |
Georgina Nurse Practitioner Led-Clinic | Sutton | L0E 1R0 | 905-722-3251 | http://www.gnplc.ca |
Chippewas of the Georgina Island - Health Centre | Sutton West | L0E 1R0 | 705-437-4242 | http://www.georginaisland.com/community-services/health/ |
SunMed Walk-in Clinic and Family Practice | Thornhill | L4J 1A1 | 905-597-6100 | |
Community Walk-in Clinic | Thornhill | L4J 2J6 | 905-731-5662 | http://www.communitywalkinclinic.ca |
MCI Doctor's Office - Thornhill - Green Lane | Thornhill | L3T 7P7 | 905-764-0188 | http://wellclinics.ca/properties/well-health-medical-centres-thornhill/ |
MCI Doctor's Office (The) - Thornhill - Steeles Ave W | Thornhill | L4J 7L2 | 905-738-6699 | http://wellclinics.ca/ontario/thornhill/mci-main-exchange |
Enhanced Care Medical Clinic - Thornhill | Thornhill | L3T 0C7 | 905-707-7309 | http://www.enhancedcare.ca |
Medione Physicians - Vaughan | Vaughan | L6A 4H7 | 289-807-0596 | http://medionephysicians.com |
Paywand Medical Centre - Walk-in Clinic and Family Practice | Vaughan | L4H 4J9 | 289-304-4666 | http://paywandmedicalcentre.com |
MCI Doctor's Office (The) - Woodbridge - Windflower Gate | Woodbridge | L4L 9L3 | 905-856-2100 | http://wellclinics.ca/properties/well-health-medical-centres-woodbridge/ |
Ansley Grove Medical Centre | Woodbridge | L4L 3R1 | 905-605-8444 | |
Marycroft Clinic (Inside Woodbridge Pharmacy) | Woodbridge | L4L 5X7 | 905-850-2224 | http://www.marycroftclinic.com |
Cityview Medical Centre | Woodbridge | L4H 0Z4 | 905-553-4499 | |
Vaughan Medical Centre | Woodbridge | L4L 1A6 | 905-605-7070 ext 1 |
Need a Family Doctor?
Health Care Connect is a program launched by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to help Ontarians without a family health care provider find one.
To register please call 1-800-445-1822 or register on line by clicking here.
Health Advice Day or Night
Formerly known as Telehealth Ontario, Health811 offers a tool for individuals to call 811 and speak to a qualified health care professional.
Services include:
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Speak to or chat online with a registered nurse
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Finding a primary care provider
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Get an initial assessment and health advice
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Use a symptom assessment tool to understand their health concerns and how to access care
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Get connected to mental health and addictions services
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Find local health services, such as home and community care or caregiver support
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Get connected to a specialized health professional if they have concerns about food and healthy eating, breastfeeding or how to quit smoking
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Get general guidance through their health care journey
For more information on Health811 click here.