Cancer can affect anyone. About half of British Columbians will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and it’s the leading cause of death in our province. The good news is that mortality rates have steadily decreased over the last 20 years. While treatment options have improved, the most significant advances are related to prevention and screening efforts.
Cancer screening is one of our best tools in fighting cancer, and it’s especially important as we age. We know that early detection saves lives. Screening is for those without symptoms. It helps catch cancer in its earliest stages, allowing for more treatment options and a better chance of recovery.
This summer, FVRL is partnering with BC Cancer to provide cancer screening information to our communities throughout the Fraser Valley. BC Cancer has four province-wide screening programs available to British Columbians:
- Breast Screening: Most women, and many Two-Spirit, trans and gender-diverse individuals, 40 years and older, can get screening mammograms. These tests can find breast cancer early, usually before it has spread.
- Cervix Screening: People with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 69 should get regular cervix screening. Options include self-screening and Pap tests. The new cervix self-screening kit is a quick, simple and very accurate way to detect high-risk HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
- Colon Screening: People ages 50 to 74 should get regular colon screening. This includes the at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which tests for blood in the stool, and a colonoscopy to screen for polyps in the colon.
- Lung Screening: People ages 55 to 74 with a history of smoking for 20+ years may be eligible for lung screening. Lung screening involves a scan of your lungs using a low-dose CT (LDCT) machine. This scan is a safe and effective way to screen for lung cancer and can pick up much more than a chest x-ray can.
A mammogram can help to detect breast cancer early, usually before it has spread.
Learn About Cancer Screening at Your Library
Join FVRL and BC Cancer for a free informative presentation on cancer prevention and screening education. These sessions will cover topics including BC Cancer’s screening services and eligibility requirements. At the end of the program, you will get the chance to ask in-depth questions and get assistance in booking your own screening appointment.
BC Cancer will be visiting libraries across the Fraser Valley throughout June, July and August. Check our events schedule to find a presentation near you:
- Yarrow Library — Thursday, June 26, 6 pm–7:30 pm
- Aldergrove Library — Thursday, July 3, 12:30 pm–2 pm
- Clearbrook Library — Thursday, July 3, 5:30 pm–7 pm
- Muriel Arnason Library — Friday, July 11, 11 am-12:30 pm
- Mission Library — Friday, July 11, 3 pm–4:30 pm
- Tsawwassen Library — Saturday, August 9, 10:30 am–12 pm
- Ladner Pioneer Library — Saturday, August 9, 1:30 pm–3 pm
For more details, please visit www.fvrl.bc.ca/bc-cancer-prevention-screening.
About BC Cancer
BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of BC. The health promotion team at BC Cancer works to develop evidence-based educational resources and deliver community-based programs to engage diverse populations across the province in cancer prevention and screening initiatives. Through partnerships with community organizations, health care providers, and the public, BC Cancer aims to increase screening participation while addressing health disparities and gaps in knowledge around prevention and screening services. For more information about BC Cancer please visit http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/
Information Sources
The information in this post was adapted from the following sources:
Disclaimer: The medical information on this post is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. For health information and advice, see your doctor.
Diana is the FVRL Events Specialist.