CTFPHC guidelines summary
for low risk / general population — see Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care website for the guidelines, below is only a summary table for educational purposes only.
| Screen for | Age | Test | Do not use... |
| Breast cancer (2018) *to be updated in fall 2023 | 50-74 | mammogram q2-3y | MRI/US/clinical or self breast exam |
| Colorectal cancer | 50-74 | FOBT (gFOBT/FIT) q2-3y or flexible sigmoidoscopy q10y | colonoscopy — done if pt. has sx (eg bleeding) |
| Lung cancer | 55-74 with ≥30 pack-year smoking who currently smoke or quit <15y ago. (e.g. 2 packs/day x 15y = 30 pack-years) | Low-dose CT annually upto 3 consecutive times | CXR |
| Cervical cancer | 25-69 stop @70 if last 3 tests were (-) but if not continue until so | Pap smear q3y | |
| Prostate cancer | No screening test for prostate cancer. | PSA is not recommended. | |
| Esophageal cancer | No screening test even in adults with chronic GERD | ||
| Depression & Post-partum depression | No screening in the general population. | Don’t use screening questionnaire for all pregnant/ post-partum women | |
| Chlamydia & gonorrhea | <30 and sexually active. | Annually — NAAT on self/clinic sample | annually |
| Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy | 1st trimester | urine culture once only | |
| Impaired vision | not recommended to screen elderly (>65 y) | ||
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | Men only age 65-80 | Ultrasound one-time only | |
| Thyroid screening | not recommended for asymptomatic, non-pregnant adults | ||
| Tobacco smoking in kids | 5-18 | counselling for all kids. Brief (~5min) when opportunity arises & longer at periodic health visit | |
| Developmental delay | 1-4 | Not recommended to screen (eg using a screening tool) but still do developmental milestones check etc | |
| Cognitive impairment | Not recommended to screen elderly (≥65) | ||
| hepatitis C (HCV) | don’t screen routinely for this | ||
| Obesity in children | 0-17 | regular growth charts but specific guideline on hold as of Dec 2022 | |
| Obesity in adults | ≥18 | HbA1C q3-5y if moderate risk and annually if high risk. No screening if low risk. | |
| Hypertension in adults | ≥18 | BP measurement at every appropriate visit (eg urgent care, primary care) | |
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