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