Screening & prevention
Canadian Task Force screening for average-risk adults, with immunization schedules and Choosing Wisely recommendations.
Last reviewed January 4, 2026
For average-risk adults without symptoms. Use diagnostic pathways for symptoms, a high-risk family history, or genetic syndromes. Follow your provincial program, use shared decision-making for preference-sensitive screening, and document recall intervals.
Cancer screening
Breast cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab)
- Who to screen
- Women ages 40-74 at average or moderately increased risk. Not for symptoms or high-risk genetic history.
- Test
- Screening mammography
- Interval and when to stop
- If screened, every 2-3 years. Not routine after age 74.
Cervical cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab)
- Who to screen
- People with a cervix who are or have been sexually active, ages 25-69.
- Test
- Pap cytology (or provincial HPV program)
- Interval and when to stop
- Every 3 years. Stop at 70 if 3 negative tests in last 10 years.
Colorectal cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab)
- Who to screen
- Adults ages 50-74 at average risk. Excludes IBD, polyps, CRC history, or first-degree relative.
- Test
- FIT or gFOBT; flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Interval and when to stop
- FIT/gFOBT every 2 years or flex sigmoidoscopy every 10 years. Do not use colonoscopy for screening.
Lung cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab)
- Who to screen
- Adults ages 55-74 with 30+ pack-years, current smoking or quit <15 years.
- Test
- Low-dose CT in organized program
- Interval and when to stop
- Annual LDCT for up to 3 consecutive years. Do not use chest X-ray.
| Screening | Who to screen | Test | Interval and when to stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab) | Women ages 40-74 at average or moderately increased risk. Not for symptoms or high-risk genetic history. | Screening mammography | If screened, every 2-3 years. Not routine after age 74. |
| Cervical cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab) | People with a cervix who are or have been sexually active, ages 25-69. | Pap cytology (or provincial HPV program) | Every 3 years. Stop at 70 if 3 negative tests in last 10 years. |
| Colorectal cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab) | Adults ages 50-74 at average risk. Excludes IBD, polyps, CRC history, or first-degree relative. | FIT or gFOBT; flexible sigmoidoscopy | FIT/gFOBT every 2 years or flex sigmoidoscopy every 10 years. Do not use colonoscopy for screening. |
| Lung cancerTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab) | Adults ages 55-74 with 30+ pack-years, current smoking or quit <15 years. | Low-dose CT in organized program | Annual LDCT for up to 3 consecutive years. Do not use chest X-ray. |
Other screening
Offered by age, sex, or calculated risk.
Abdominal aortic aneurysmTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab)
- Who to screen
- Men ages 65-80. Not recommended for women or men over 80.
- Test
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Interval and when to stop
- One-time screening.
Type 2 diabetesTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab)
- Who to screen
- Adults with high or very high risk using validated tools (FINDRISC or CANRISK).
- Test
- A1C preferred (FPG/OGTT acceptable).
- Interval and when to stop
- High risk: every 3-5 years. Very high risk: annually.
| Screening | Who to screen | Test | Interval and when to stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominal aortic aneurysmTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab) | Men ages 65-80. Not recommended for women or men over 80. | Abdominal ultrasound | One-time screening. |
| Type 2 diabetesTask Force guideline (opens in a new tab) | Adults with high or very high risk using validated tools (FINDRISC or CANRISK). | A1C preferred (FPG/OGTT acceptable). | High risk: every 3-5 years. Very high risk: annually. |
More prevention resources
- Immunization schedules
Adult and pregnancy immunization highlights with Canadian references.
- Choosing Wisely Canada
Family medicine recommendations to reduce low-value care.
References
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Breast cancer draft recommendations (2024) (opens in a new tab)
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Cervical cancer screening (opens in a new tab)
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Colorectal cancer screening (opens in a new tab)
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Lung cancer screening (opens in a new tab)
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Abdominal aortic aneurysm (opens in a new tab)
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Type 2 diabetes screening (opens in a new tab)