Mobilizing Newcomersand Immigrants to Cancer Screening Programs
Funded by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Cancer Screening
Breast Cancer Screening
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control
What is Cancer?
Tissue
Blood vessel
Cancer cells can also spread (grow) into other tissues, something that normal cells cannot do
What is Cancer?
Tissue
Blood vessel
There is no single cause for cancer
Most cancers are caused by many risk factors
Good news: we can reduce the risk of cancer
What Causes Cancer?
A cancer risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting cancer There are some risk factors that we
cannot change There are some risk factors that we can
change
Most breast cancer risk factors are things that we cannot change!
Cancer Risk Factors
Regular medical tests
Can find cancer early
Can prevent some cancers
Cancer Screening Tests
Breast Cancer Screening
What is the Breast?
Being a woman
Age
Family history
Having breast cancer in the past
Ovarian cancer
Breast Cancer Risk FactorsYou Cannot Change
Breast Cancer Risk FactorsYou Can Change
Be physically active
Eat a healthy diet
Do not smoke
Avoid second-hand smoke
Limit or avoid alcohol
Breast Cancer Risk FactorsYou Can Change
Limit how long you use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause. Speak to your doctor
Get screened
What is the Test for Breast Cancer Screening?
Mammogram
Estimated new cases:
9300
Estimated deaths:
1950
Breast Cancer in Ontario 2013
Regular mammograms can find breast cancer early
when it is easier to treat
Women age 50 – 74 years
No changes in breast health
No personal history of breast cancer
No current breast implants
Ontario resident more than 6 months
Who Can Go to Ontario Breast Screening Program
(OBSP)?
Ontario Breast Cancer Screening Program
Benefits
A referral is not needed from a doctor
You can call and book your own appointment
No cost
Result letter is mailed to your home
Reminder letter to return every 2 years
What Happens Before?
Invitation Letter
What Happens at OBSP?
Change into a gownTwo-view
mammogram (x-ray) of each breast
Why is Pressure Needed?
What Happens After?
What Happens After?Result letter
within two weeksReminder letter for next appointment
Most abnormal mammograms are not cancer
More tests (repeat mammogram, ultrasound)
Abnormal Mammogram?
If you have a family or medical history that puts you at high risk for breast cancer, you may need specialized screening at the Ontario Breast Screening Program
Talk to a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner
Women Age 30-69 Years Who Are at High Risk
Be Breast Aware
All women of all ages:
Know what is normal for you
Know what changes to look for
Look and feel for changes often
Report any unusual changes to a doctor or nurse practitioner immediately
Women Age 50 or Older…
Go for regular mammograms at OBSP
Every 2 years
You can book your own appointment
You do not need a medical referral
No cost
Breast self-exam does not replace a mammogram
Call this number to book your appointment:
Ontario Breast Screening Program
Provincial Toll-Free Number
1-800-668-9304
Where to Go for a Mammogram
OBSP Locations in London
London CML Healthcare Inc. – London279 Wharncliffe Rd. N, Suite 111London, ON N6H 2C2(519) 661-0275
London X-Ray Associates – Bradley105-595 Bradley AvenueLondon, ON N6E 3Z8(519) 672-7900
OBSP Locations in London
London X-Ray Associates – Central104-450 Central AvenueLondon, ON N6B 2E8(519) 672-7900
St. Joseph’s Health Care, London268 Grosvenor StreetLondon, ON N6A 4V2(519) 646-6105
Cervical Cancer Screening
What is the Cervix?
What is Cervical Cancer?
Pre-cancerNormal
Cancer
10 – 15 years
Pap test
What is the Test for Cervical Cancer
Screening?
Cervical Cancer in Ontario 2013
Estimated new cases: 610
Estimated deaths:
150
Regular Pap tests combined with the HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer
Women age 21 – 70
Who have been sexually active
Every three years
The Ontario CervicalScreening Program (OCSP)
What Happens During a Pap Test?
What Happens at a Pap Test?
2
1
What Happens After?
Result letter within two weeks
Reminder letter for next appointment
More tests
Less than 10% of Pap tests have abnormal results
Few of those will be cancer
Abnormal Pap Test?
Virus infection Very common
Found in men and women
Can cause cancer
Transmitted skin-to-skin genital contact and/or during sexual intercourse
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HPV vaccine Approved for women age 9 - 45
Recommended for men age 9 - 26
Available to grade 8 girls at no cost through public health school program
3 doses needed
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevention and HPV Vaccines: Questions and Answers. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/hpv-vph/hpv-vph-vaccine-eng.php
We Can Prevent HPV Infection
Less than 0.05%: Discomfort at the site of
application
Redness on the site
Dizziness
Headache
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/12vol38/acs-dcc-1/index-eng.php#a4-8
Possible Side Effects of HPV Vaccine
HPV vaccine prevents infection
HPV vaccine does not replace Pap tests
Pap test detects cell changes before they become cancer
Almost all cervical cancers can be prevented if cell changes are found early and treated
Things to Remember…
Family Doctor
Middlesex-London Health Unit
Nurse practitioner clinics
Where to Go for a Pap Test
Questions?
Canadian Cancer Society
Cancer Information Service
Phone Number: 1 888 939 3333
TTY: 1866 786 3934
Service offered in different languages
Cancer Information
Cancer Care Ontariowww.cancercare.on.ca/pcs/screening
Canadian Cancer Societywww.cancer.ca
Middlesex London Health Unitwww. Healthunit.com
South West Regional Cancer Programwww.southwestcancer.ca/
For More Information
Thank you