THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is reminding people in the northwest that cancer screening remains an important preventative health measure even during the ongoing pandemic.
Prevention and Screening Clinical Services with the TBRHSC has launched a new campaign, Cancer Doesn’t Stop for COVID-19, encouraging people to get routinely screened for breast, cervical, and colon cancer.
“We can’t underestimate the importance of cancer screening,” said Tarja Heiskanen, manager of Screening and Assessment Services at TBRHSC.”
“Routine screening can find certain types of cancer earlier, before you have any symptoms. Detecting cancer early means that there is an even better chance of treating it successfully. As an example, colon cancer is 90 per cent curable if found at an early stage.”
The campaign is promoting three organized cancer-screening programs in the province.
Women between the ages of 50 and 74-years-old should receive a screening mammogram every two years.
Those between the ages of 21 to 69-years-old with a cervix and have been sexually active should receive a pap test every three years.
While anyone between the ages of 50 and 74-years-old with no first-degree family history of colon cancer should complete a fecal immunochemical test every two years.
“Although it is not uncommon for individuals to postpone appointments for mammograms, pap smears, and colon cancer screenings for various reasons, we recommend that everyone stays up-to-date with their cancer screening,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.
“It’s understandable that many people are afraid to attend medical appointments during the pandemic because they do not want to be exposed to COVID-19, but you can be confident that when you are visiting these health care settings, including the Screen for Life Coach, they are following COVID-19 guidelines and you will be safe.”
All three cancer-screening programs can be accessed through the TBRHSC’s Screen for Life Coach, which is travelling throughout Northwestern Ontario.
Screening can take place for individuals who are eligible and do not require a referral from a health care provider.
The Screen for Life Coach will be in Thunder Bay throughout May and June. Visit the Screen for Life website for a full list of dates. Appointments can be booked by calling (807) 684-7777.
