ScreenZine

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Deirdre Townsend
5 years ago
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York Region, North York and South Simcoe.

2 ScreenZine is published by Prevention and Screening at the Central Regional Cancer Program. It provides information about breast, cervical and colon cancer screening to York Region, North York and South Simcoe. Once you know about cancer screening, what s next? For more information visit Ontario.ca/ScreenForLife Adapted from material produced by the Central West Ontario Be a Breast Friend Project funded by Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Ontario Region. Information 2 ScreenZine this publication is intended for general public education. This should not replace the care of a licensed healthcare provider. Prevention and Screening, Central Regional Cancer Program does not endorse, warrant or guarantee any products, services or merchandise contained in this magazine.

PROVIDED BY DR. MARLA ASH A letter from Dr. Marla Ash, MD, CCFP W elcome to the second issue of ScreenZine, the magazine that focuses on healthy living and early cancer detection.

Cancer screening, which means having a test when you feel well, is an important way to stay on top of your health.

3 PROVIDED BY DR. MARLA ASH A letter from Dr. Marla Ash, MD, CCFP W elcome to the second issue of ScreenZine, the magazine that focuses on healthy living and early cancer detection. Cancer can be a scary word, but research shows making healthy choices and participating in cancer screening can save lives. Cancer screening, which means having a test when you feel well, is an important way to stay on top of your health. It can find changes that lead to cancer or cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop. With early detection and regular screening, there are more treatment options available. In Ontario, there are organized screening programs for breast, cervical and colon cancer. These programs are free of charge with an OHIP card. If you are eligible, you will receive invitations to start screening, reminders when it s time to screen again and result letters. I encourage you to take action for your own health and talk to your healthcare provider about the best screening options for you. I hope this magazine provides useful information, answers some of your questions and inspires you and your loved ones to get screened. The choices you make can go a long way. Keep well, ScreenZine 3

The link between alcohol and cancer risk isn t something you often think about, but research shows every year up to 3,000 cancer cases in Ontario can be

All types of alcoholic beverages can increase risk. There is no clear safe limit.

one drink a day Men should not have more than two drinks a day Based on Cancer Care Ontario s Cancer Risk Factors in Ontario: Alcohol report.

She knew it was time to quit when she started to feel unwell and noticed her daughters were smoking.

She tells others, it s difficult to quit smoking. Along with the cravings, she felt irritable and kept having vivid dreams about cigarettes.

4 The link between alcohol and cancer risk isn t something you often think about, but research shows every year up to 3,000 cancer cases in Ontario can be prevented by drinking less alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to cause oral cancers as well as cancers of the esophagus, larynx, liver, colon and breast. All types of alcoholic beverages can increase risk. There is no clear safe limit. If you are going to drink, the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research recommends the following: Women should not have more than one drink a day Men should not have more than two drinks a day Based on Cancer Care Ontario s Cancer Risk Factors in Ontario: Alcohol report. I only smoked for one reason: I liked it, says Barbara. She knew it was time to quit when she started to feel unwell and noticed her daughters were smoking. Barbara s husband provided a final push by agreeing to buy her a ring if she quit for a year. After smoking for about 35 years, she put the pack down. She tells others, it s difficult to quit smoking. Along with the cravings, she felt irritable and kept having vivid dreams about cigarettes. Barbara is happy with her decision to quit. She exclaims, It s nice to smell fresh air. She also noticed food tasted a lot better soon after quitting. 4 ScreenZine PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALISHA SOMJI She is proud to say her daughters have also quit. Having lived smoke-free for 11 years now, Barbara is an advocate for non-smoking and a volunteer at her local hospital. Visit SmokersHelpline.ca or call

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The simple at-home test checks for blood in the stool.

This test is recommended every two years for men and women 50 to 74 with no family

During a colonoscopy a small camera looks inside the entire rectum and intestine, and

A colonoscopy is recommended for those with a mother, father, brother, sister or

s age at diagnosis. This test is also used for those with a positive FOBT result.

the intestine. A flexible sigmoidoscopy involves minimal prep and no anesthetic.

6 The simple at-home test checks for blood in the stool. It is called the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). This test is recommended every two years for men and women 50 to 74 with no family history of colon cancer. During a colonoscopy a small camera looks inside the entire rectum and intestine, and polyps can be removed. A colonoscopy is recommended for those with a mother, father, brother, sister or child with a history of colon cancer. Screening begins at age 50, or 10 years earlier than the family member s age at diagnosis. This test is also used for those with a positive FOBT result. Performed by specially trained nurses, a camera is used to look at the lower third of the intestine. A flexible sigmoidoscopy involves minimal prep and no anesthetic. It can remove small-sized polyps. This test is an option for those who are at an average risk for colon cancer. It is available in the Central Region at Southlake Regional Health Centre. Speak with your healthcare provider about this colon screening option. 6 ScreenZine

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID WEINGARTEN Colon cancer is 90 per cent curable when found early.

We re all afraid of someone telling us we have cancer, says Carole from Holland Landing.

Because of this, Carole tried her best to take care of her body and was adamant about going for the recommended colonoscopy.

It was small and the growth rate on the pathology came back at zero they were able to catch it in time. istockphoto.

7 PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID WEINGARTEN Colon cancer is 90 per cent curable when found early. It occurs almost equally in both men and women. Ontario has one of the highest rates of colon cancer in the world. We re all afraid of someone telling us we have cancer, says Carole from Holland Landing. Carole has a family history of colon cancer, which increased her risk. Because of this, Carole tried her best to take care of her body and was adamant about going for the recommended colonoscopy. During her second colonoscopy at age 56, two polyps were removed, one of which was cancerous. It was small and the growth rate on the pathology came back at zero they were able to catch it in time. istockphoto.com/icsregional@ Carole is glad she did not put off screening for colon cancer. Everything about my life could have changed if I had not come back for that second colonoscopy. Carole is thankful for colon cancer screening and her early detection. Today she enjoys staying active and spending time with her family. ScreenZine 7

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID WEINGARTEN is a common virus that is passed through sexual contact. About three out of four people get it in their lifetime.

You can reduce your risk of cervical cancer by: Getting vaccinated Not smoking Limiting your number of sexual partners Using condoms protects against four HPV

Three doses are required for complete protection.

A Pap test is a simple test done in a healthcare provider s office. A tool called a speculum is inserted into the vagina to make the cervix visible.

8 PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID WEINGARTEN is a common virus that is passed through sexual contact. About three out of four people get it in their lifetime. Most HPV infections go away on their own, but a small number will develop into cervical cancer. You can reduce your risk of cervical cancer by: Getting vaccinated Not smoking Limiting your number of sexual partners Using condoms protects against four HPV types that are responsible for 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases and 90 per cent of genital warts. The vaccine is offered to grade eight girls at no cost. Three doses are required for complete protection. It is approved for women up to the age of 45 and is also recommended for males between nine and 26 years of age. A Pap test is a simple test done in a healthcare provider s office. A tool called a speculum is inserted into the vagina to make the cervix visible. Cells are taken from the cervix and sent to a lab. Starting at 21, women who are or have ever been sexually active should have a Pap test every three years. Women who are 70 and over can stop going for Pap tests if the last three were normal in the past ten years. 8 ScreenZine It can mean... Intercourse Genital skin-toskin contact Oral or digital sex Between... Male/female Male/male Female/female

feel healthy and have no family history of cervical cancer I have gone through menopause I have had the

abnormality after a Pap test, your doctor will recommend a repeat Pap test in six months.

If your Pap test has a more significant abnormality, or remains abnormal on repeat testing, your doctor

Colposcopy is a test that involves having a gynecologist examine your cervix with a magnification device

With colposcopy, a small fragment of your cervix, a biopsy, may be taken to send to the lab for

9 PROVIDED BY DR. ERICA MANTAY I have only had one partner I am no longer sexually active I am in a same-sex relationship I feel healthy and have no family history of cervical cancer I have gone through menopause I have had the HPV vaccine I haven t had intercourse, but I ve been sexually active in other ways If you have a mild abnormality after a Pap test, your doctor will recommend a repeat Pap test in six months. Most mild abnormalities will resolve without any treatment. If your Pap test has a more significant abnormality, or remains abnormal on repeat testing, your doctor will refer you for a diagnostic test called colposcopy. Colposcopy is a test that involves having a gynecologist examine your cervix with a magnification device called a colposcope, to determine if there are any precancerous changes on the cervix. With colposcopy, a small fragment of your cervix, a biopsy, may be taken to send to the lab for microscopic analysis. The results of this test will help your doctor advise you on the next steps. After colposcopy your doctor may recommend a follow-up Pap test, further colposcopy or a treatment procedure to remove the abnormal cells. For more details please look at the Cancer Care Ontario website: ScreenZine 9

A mammogram is a low dose x-ray of the breast.

Those who are considered to be high risk* should have a

10 A mammogram is a low dose x-ray of the breast. It is the gold standard for breast screening and can find cancers before they can be felt. Women aged 50 to 74 should have a mammogram every two years. Those who are considered to be high risk* should have a mammogram and MRI every year if between the ages of 30 and 69. *Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk. 10 ScreenZine

Sheila believes in educating people about cancer screening even when she s at work. The breast cancer survivor says, Let s talk about something that matters.

The 59-year-old does not have a family history of breast cancer. She never had any symptoms and began going for mammograms at age of 50.

Two months after her best friend was diagnosed, Sheila found out she too had breast cancer.

Sheila and her husband have a pact to be proactive about their health. She also continues to screen for cervical and colon cancer.

11 Sheila believes in educating people about cancer screening even when she s at work. The breast cancer survivor says, Let s talk about something that matters. As an ambassador at a salon in Alliston, Sheila tells the stylists, This is very important information that you have the power to pass on. The 59-year-old does not have a family history of breast cancer. She never had any symptoms and began going for mammograms at age of 50. Through the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Sheila continued to have regular mammograms every two years. It is a little bit uncomfortable, but I wouldn t say it s painful, she says. Two months after her best friend was diagnosed, Sheila found out she too had breast cancer. The two friends tried to make the most out of their situations PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOY ELKAYAM and supported each other through treatment. Today, they are both feeling much better. Sheila and her husband have a pact to be proactive about their health. She also continues to screen for cervical and colon cancer. She says, It is something you need to do for yourself and your family. Don t be selfish about it. You can book a free mammogram with the Ontario Breast Screening Program if you meet the following: Ontario resident aged 50 to 74 No mammogram in two years No personal history of breast cancer No current concerning breast abnormalities No breast implants To find a convenient breast screening location refer to the back cover or visit ScreenZine 11

12 Stevenson Memorial Hospital 200 Fletcher Crescent X-Ray Associates 125 Pederson Drive, Units 3,4, Markham Stouffville Hospital 381 Church Street Markham Woman s Health Centre 39 Main Street North, Markham CML Healthcare Inc Leslie Street Southlake Regional Health Centre 581 Davis Drive, Medical Arts Building ext Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital 10 Trench Street Ontario Medical Imaging Chalmers Gate X-Ray & Ultrasound 328 Highway 7 East, Suite True North Imaging 7330 Yonge Street, Suite Lighthouse Imaging 5 Fairview Mall Drive, Suite North York General-Branson 555 Finch Avenue West CML Healthcare Inc Bathurst Street, Suite Hitek Imaging Leslie 4800 Leslie Street, Lower Level York Radiology 1333 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite Hitek Imaging Yonge 5801 Yonge Street, Suite Bluewater Imaging 960 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite Humber River Regional Hospital 200 Church Street Unionville Diagnostic Imaging 10 Unionville Gate, Suite Vaughan Breast Imaging Centre Dixie X-ray Associates Ltd Weston Road, Suite B Thistlewood Diagnostic Associates 8077 Islington Avenue, Suite Oakdale Radiology Dixie X-Ray Associates Ltd Finch Avenue West Suite B ScreenZine

Contents. Contact Us. Who We Are: Prevention and Screening Team, Central Regional Cancer Program

Contents. Contact Us. Who We Are: Prevention and Screening Team, Central Regional Cancer Program Who We Are: Prevention and Screening Team, Central Regional Cancer Program We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Our goal is to increase prevention and screening rates to reduce the impact