As a healthcare provider, your recommendation impacts your patient's decision to participate in cancer screening. The CancerCare Manitoba Screening Program Screening Guidelines aim to ensure individuals receive the greatest benefit from cancer screening while minimizing the potential harms. We encourage healthcare providers to facilitate this discussion with patients to:
To support your patient discussions we publish education and health promotion resources. Click here to order resources online. Below is a list of information to assist you in facilitating an informed decision-making process for each screening test.
Reduced cancer mortality
Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that early detection through routine screening can reduce mortality from colorectal cancer (FOBT) by up to 25% and from breast cancer (mammograms) by 20-30%. Observational data have shown up to an 80% decrease in cervical cancer mortality following the introduction of organized Pap screening.
Decreased cancer incidence
Diagnostic follow-up of abnormal cervical and colorectal screening test results can prevent those cancers by detecting, treating, or removing pre-cancerous cells.
Enhanced treatment options
Screening can detect cancer at an earlier stage, which may result in simpler treatment, more treatment options, and/or less need for radiation and chemotherapy.
False positives
False positive screening tests can result in unnecessary and potentially invasive follow-up.
False negatives
False negative screening tests can result in missed cancers, dysplasia, and potential delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Over diagnosis
Detecting conditions that may not have become clinically significant in a patient's lifetime (over diagnosis) may result in unnecessary intervention and/or treatment.
False reassurance
While cancer screening is effective in reducing mortality, interval cancers do occur. Encourage patients to revisit their healthcare provider if they notice any symptoms, even if their most recent screening test result was negative.
Distress
Although typically less invasive than a diagnostic test, the screening test may cause anxiety and/or discomfort or pain (mammogram and Pap), bleeding (Pap), and radiation exposure (mammogram). A follow-up (diagnostic) test for a patient with a positive screening result may result in unintended complications such as:
To read more about further testing, click here.
To read more about results and follow-up tests, click here.
For more information about follow-up testing, click here.
Clients can request a home screening test through ColonCheck by:
CervixCheck partners with health care providers to offer increased access to cervical cancer screening services across Manitoba. Clinics may offer service by appointment, walk-in or both and are encouraged to do so as frequently as their resources allow.
By registering your Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic with CervixCheck your clinic's cervical cancer screening services will be listed on our website. Your participation helps increase cervical cancer screening test access for Manitoban women.
Note:
Colposcopy referrals are required in the following cases:
Colposcopy identifies sub-clinical abnormalities of the cervix using a binocular scope with a high density light. Identification of abnormalities are based on epithelial density (white epithelium) and vascular patterns (punctation,etc.).
Using these parameters, an area of abnormality can be identified in order to direct a tissue biopsy by one of the following methods:
If you have a patient in need of a referral to colposcopy, below is a list of colposcopists to whom you can refer.
Brandon Clinic
620 Dennis Street, Brandon MB, R7A 5E7
F: 204-571-7216
Dr. O. Akintola
P: 204-728-4440
F: 204-574-8657
Dr. B. Nevo
P: 204-871-7135
F: 204-571-8658
Dr. A. Kasi
P: 204-571-7135
F: 204-571-8687
Dr. Shunmugam
P: 204-571-7135
F: 204-571-8689
Southbridge Medical Clinic
Unit C-1340 10th Street
Brandon MB, R7A 6Z3
Dr. M. Rutherford
Dr. J. Shirley
P: 204-728-3080
F: 204-650-1122
Dauphin Medical Clinic
622-3rd Street SW, Dauphin MB, R7N1R5
Dr. K. Pernarowski
P: 204-638-6445
F: 204-638-5670
Portage Clinic
100-140 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie MB, R1N 3V5
Dr. J. Grenier
P: 204-857-3445
F: 204-239-1278
15 Wersch Street, PO Box 400, Selkirk MB, R1A 2B2
Dr. S. Ziaei Saba
P: 204-808-9898
F: 204-808-9899
The Pas Health Complex
67 First St. West, Box 240, The Pas MB, R9A 1K4
Dr. Z. Al Moumen
P: 204-623-9264
F: 204-623-2088
Northern Consultation Clinic
871 Thompson Drive South, Thompson MB, R8N 0C8
P: 204-677-5314
F: 204-677-5339
Dr. L. Azzam
Dr. A. Mustafa
C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre
385 Main Street, Winkler MB, R6W1J2
P: 204-325-4312
F: 204-325-4594
Dr. S. Alhayjaa*
Dr. A. Dyson*
Dr. L. Majeau*
Dr. R. Noble*
*NOTE: Drs. Alhayjaa, Majeau, Noble and Dyson perform colposcopies at Boundary Trails Health Centre, but all referrals, pre-op visits and post-op follow-ups are completed at C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre
Health Sciences Centre
WN1-1503 665 William Ave., Winnipeg MB, R3E 0L8
P: 204-787-4936
F: 204-787-2314
Dr. A. Altman
Dr. E. Dean
Dr. S. Kean
Dr. S. Popowich
Dr. L. Roberts
Dr. C. Robinson
Dr. A. Awadalla
Dr. R. Crow
Dr. K. Luhning
DC Obstetrics & Gynecology
47 Marion Street, Winnipeg MB, R2H 0S8
P: 204-925-3600
F: 204-925-3616
Manitoba Clinic
790 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg MB, R3A 1M3
Dr. M.L. Boroditsky
P: 204-788-5707
F: 204-784-4127
Dr. Corbett
P: 204-788-5503
F: 204-784-4130
Dr. H. Diamond
P: 204-788-5745
F: 204-784-4132
Dr. V. Lee
P: 204-788-5716
F: 204-784-4153
Dr. A. Macsymowicz
P: 204-788-5733
F: 204-784-4117
Millennium Medical Centre
311 Balmoral Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A5
P: 204-505-2977
F: 204-505-2980
Dr. G. Lefas
Dr. P. Klippenstein
Dr. L. Waters
Dr. P.K. Debnath
Keewatin Medical Centre
Unit 6 & 7 - 998 Keewatin Street
Winnipeg MB, R2R2V1
P: 204-615-0012
F: 204-615-0013
Dr. H. Benning
St. Boniface Clinic
343 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R2H 2A5
P: 204-925-9546
F: 855-366-3208
Winnipeg Clinic
425 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R3C 0N2
F: 204-282-9404
Dr. Z. Al Moumen
P: 204-957-3232
Dr. D. Dubyna
Dr. H. Azzam
P: 204-957-3233