In Canada, chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke, are leading causes of death and disability, and currently affect more than one in five Canadians (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015). The need for health professionals to deliver effective disease prevention and screening recommendations to patients is increasing as rates of chronic disease among Canadians continue to rise. Screening tests help find disease in a person who, otherwise, does not show symptoms. Screening early allows medical professionals to take preventive measures, such as removing growths, or start early treatment before a disease progresses, potentially saving a patient’s life.
How family doctors play a role in preventing and screening for common diseases Preventing and screening for diseases is common in family medicine. Family doctors place great value on preventing disease and illness before they occur and catching a disease in its early stages before it gets worse. Examples of screening depend on the disease being screened for. For instance, a pap test may help diagnose cervical cancer, a mammogram can help detect breast cancer, and fecal occult blood testing or colonoscopy may aid in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Examples of preventive measures might include immunizations against infectious diseases (i.e. flu shots, HPV vaccinations, etc.) and encouraging healthy eating, exercise and quitting smoking. 25