Your risk of dying from breast cancer is slightly reduced if you have regular screening. However, regular screening increases your chance of a false positive result, a biopsy and having part or all of a breast removed unnecessarily.

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends women between 50 and 74 years old who are not at high risk get screened for breast cancer every 2 to 3 years. Talk to your doctor about screening options if you are at high risk or over 74 years old.

This resource includes frequently asked questions about breast cancer, including: Who is considered high risk? What are the harms associated with mammography? and Why is routine screening NOT recommended for women 40-49 years?

Your chances of dying from breast cancer can be lowered by having regular screening. There are risks related to mammograms however, including false positives, unnecessary biopsies or surgery.

Women ages 50-74 should have a mammogram every 2 to 3 years, if they are not at high risk of breast cancer. Discuss with your doctor whether you should have a mammogram if you are over age 75.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults between the ages of 55-80 who have been heavy smokers in the past 15 years be screened for lung cancer every year.

The prostate-specific antigen test and rectal examinations are two forms of prostate cancer screening. Screening has both risks and benefits. Routine screening is not recommended for everyone. Speak with your health care provider about whether screening is a good option for you.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include abdominal bloating or pain, difficulty eating, or more frequent trips to the washroom. Taking oral birth control pills, having breastfed or been pregnant, and some surgical procedures could lower your risk of ovarian cancer.

Men aged 55 to 69 years should discuss if they should get screened for prostate cancer with their doctor. Screening offers a small potential benefit, but also potential harms like an untrue positive test result. Men 70 and older should not get screened.

If you are between 55 and 74 and are currently or used to be a smoker, you should consider getting tested for lung cancer. You should speak with your health care provider about getting tested using a low-dose CT scan once a year for three years.

Annual screening is not recommended for women at average risk for developing ovarian cancer, and may lead to false positive results. Instead, watch for physical changes like bloating or pelvic pain. Resource includes a short video.

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends men and women over age 50 have a stool test at least every 2 years to test for colorectal cancer. You are at a higher risk if you have had this cancer before, have inflammatory bowel disease or if you have a family history.

Primary brain tumors are cancers that develop in the brain. Malignant gliomas (a type of brain tumor) cause symptoms like memory loss, headache and seizures. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Detailed information about gliomas in this resource.

Women who are not at risk for ovarian cancer should avoid ovarian screening. Ovarian screening can give false-positive results which can lead to unnecessary surgery. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and preferences before making a decision about cancer screening.

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care does not recommend men get screened for prostate cancer with a PSA test because the harms outweigh the benefits. The harms of screening include: false positives, over-diagnosis, infection, erectile dysfunction, urine leakage and biopsy complications.

The Canadian Task Force on Prevent Health Care does not recommend men get screened for prostate cancer with a PSA test. The potential harms of screening and follow-up treatment do not outweigh the small benefits.

Prostate cancer screening with a PSA test is not recommended because there are more potential harms than benefits.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer related to the lymphatic system. The most common symptom is a painless, swollen lymph node in the neck. Treatments include radiation and chemotherapy.

If you have a family history or personal history with specific cancers, you may be at an increased risk of developing them. Consider genetic counseling and testing if you are at high risk. Consult with a healthcare provider to determine your risk level.

The United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women over 40 talk to their doctor about the benefits and harms of getting a mammogram. Women between 50 and 74 should get a mammogram every two years. Check your local guidelines for more information.

The US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend that women over the age of 65 get screened for cervical cancer unless they are at high risk or have not been screened before.

Pap tests every 1-3 years are recommended for women over the age of 21 who have been sexually active. Talk to your doctor about whether you need a pap test if you are over age 69 or have had a hysterectomy. Learn about preparing for a pap test, the risks and results in this resource.

Speak with your health care provider about your risk of colorectal cancer to determine when you should start getting screened, and when you should stop. Your health care provider may recommend getting screened earlier and more often if you have an increased risk of this type of cancer (eg. family history of colon cancer, polyps or inflammatory bowel disease).

Blood in your urine and mid-back pain are common symptoms of bladder cancer. See your doctor to have your kidneys, bladder and urethra checked if you have any of these symptoms.

Breast cancer screening includes tests to find breast cancer at an early stage. The chance of dying from breast cancer has decreased over the past few years, partly because of screening. This resource reviews different types of screening, as well as how often to go.

A Pap test screens for cervical cancer. It recommended that sexually active women 25-69 have one every 3 years. Screening is not recommended for those older than 70 if your last 3 Pap tests were negative.

This resource includes information about the Pap test and what an abnormal test result means.

Film and digital mammograms are not very different from each other. Both are just as accurate at detecting breast cancer.

Be aware of the benefits and risks of screening tests. Talk to your doctor to find out what kind of screening is right for you.

One method used to screen for breast cancer is an x-ray test known as a mammogram. Mammograms may help decrease deaths from breast cancer in women ages 40 to 74 but do come with some risks. This resource provides information on how mammograms are done, how to prepare, what they feel like, risks, results, what affects the test, and considerations to make. Speak with your health care provider about your risk for breast cancer, the available breast cancer screening options, and the risks and benefits of each.

Skins exams help detect signs of skin issues and cancer. They are usually done yearly or more often if you are at higher risk for skin cancer. Learn the ABCDE rule or the seven point checklist that doctors use to recognize the differences between normal moles and melanoma.

Women with cancer can now opt for contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). This option is for women with cancer who choose to remove their healthy breast. Details about the pros and cons of this approach in this resource.

Breast cysts are common. Your doctor might recommend tests to make sure that the cysts are not cancerous. If the cysts are causing pain, try a well-fitting bra, warm or cool compresses, or over-the-counter pain medication if necessary. Your doctor might recommend aspiration to empty the cysts.

Uterine cancer is most likely to occur in women between the ages of 75 and 79. If uterine cancer is found at an early stage, there is a good chance of a cure. Talk to your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding past menopause, bleeding between periods, or bleeding after sex.

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the US. The death rate has declined, partly due to increased screening and improved treatment. When found and treated early it is often curable. This website gives information about diagnosing and treating breast cancer.

Screening with tests such as the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and flexible sigmoidoscopy can detect bowel cancer early when it is easier to treat. Details about these tests in this resource.

If you are a long-time smoker, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening. Lung cancer is more likely to be cured if found in its early stages.

If you are between 50 and 74 years of age, you should have regular mammograms to test for breast cancer every 2-3 years. If you are over the age of 75, talk to your doctor before going for breast cancer screening.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. To reduce your risk use sunscreen, cover your skin, sit in the shade and wear sunglasses. Do not use indoor tanning beds.

Symptoms of skin cancer include but are not limited to: changes in moles or spots on the skin, sores that don't heal, and red patches on the skin that are scaly or rough. Consult with your doctor immediately after flagging changes to your skin so they can conduct a skin exam.

Use this decision aid to help understand your choices about breast cancer screening, including the risks and benefits of mammograms.

Breast pain affects many women and is often caused by hormone changes. Breast pain is unlikely a sign of breast cancer. Choose a well-fitting bra, try hot or cold compresses, relaxation and pain relievers. Speak to your doctor if the pain persists or gets worse over time.

Skin changes are a normal part of aging. Regularly check your skin for any changes. See your doctor if you notice a change or wound that doesn't go away within 4 weeks.

Get the HPV vaccine, limit your sexual partners and use a condom to lower your risk of vaginal cancer. Have regular pap tests and avoid smoking. This resource includes questions to ask your doctor about vaginal cancer.

Treatment can often slow the progress of stomach cancer, and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better. Discuss treatment options with a specialist who knows your case.

The decision around whether or not to screen women under the age of 50 for breast cancer should be based on personal risk and context. Women aged 50 to 74 should receive regular breast cancer screening.

Screening tests are more useful if the disease is serious, if the test is reliable, if the test is not harmful and if the disease has better treatment options when detected early. Screening is not a diagnosis and can sometimes lead to a false alarm. This resource includes questions to ask your doctor.

Know the symptoms of lung cancer and get regular health checks. Early diagnosis improves the chances of successful treatment. Current research is exploring benefits of using CT scans vs chest x-rays.

It is recommended that you get screened for colorectal cancer if you are 50 to 75 years old. Different types of screening tests include colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), or fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Review this resource and talk to your doctor to discuss which test is right for you.

Cervical cancer screening is used to find cervical cancer prior to symptom development. Early detection helps increase the chance of treatment being successful.

Finding breast cancer early means a better chance for successful treatment and the cancer is less likely to spread. Mammograms are used as a breast cancer screening tool.