Preventative care is the essence of family and community- based medicine. It is the care you receive to help prevent illnesses or diseases, and the care you receive to aid in early identification of health problems. This also includes counseling to prevent health problems. Most of these preventive measures are covered by OHIP. These screenings and immunizations can help you and your family stay healthy.
There is evidence that an annual physical examination is ineffective in finding hidden disease in healthy people. Based on research evidence, the annual physical examination has been replaced by the Periodic Health Examination for patients with no new symptoms or chronic medical problems.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada recommends a Periodic Health Examination every 1 -3 Years depending on your age, your medical conditions, and your current health status. Please speak to your doctor for a recommendation about when your next Periodic Health Exam is due.
Infants, Children And Adolescents
Preventative care means regular check-ups to ensure appropriate development for age and update immunizations:
- Newborns are seen regularly until they pass their birth weight. are thriving and have established good feeding patterns
- At 1 month
- At 2 months ( Pediacel, Prevnar 13, Rotateq)
- At 4 months ( Pediacel, Prevnar 13, Rotateq)
- At 6 months ( Pediacel)
- At 9 months ( No routine immunizations)
- At 12 Months ( MMR, Menjugate meningitis C)
- At 15 months ( Varicella, Prevnar 13)
- At 18 months ( Pediacel)
- Between ages 2 – 3 Years and then annually until age 6-7 ( Booster shots age 4-6 years MMRV and Quadracel)
- At age 6-7 years and then every 2 years until age 18 years. ( Booster shot of Adacel or Boostrix age 14-16)
- Flu shot annually, starting at 6 months of age, the first year a child receives the flu shot he/she needs 2 shots, at least 4 weeks apart unless he/she is >= 9 years old, then 1 shot per year is sufficient.
Adult Screening
1 Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer Screening (new HPV RNA PAP Test available since March 2025) starting at age 25, every 5 years , unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you have a previous history of pre-cancerous cells or cancer of the cervix, then your HPV PAP screening may be advised more frequently. Please discuss your individual screening interval with your doctor.
2 Breast Cancer
Mammogram screening starts at age 40 in Canada and is advised every 1-2 years, unless your doctor tells you otherwise based on your family history or your previous breast imaging results.
3 Colorectal Cancer
Colon Cancer screening starts at age 50 unless you have symptoms or a family history of colon or rectal cancer. The home-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a fecal dipstick test done every 2 years from age 50 to age 75. Individuals with a personal history of pre-cancerous polyps or cancer are screening with colonoscopy at an interval of every 1-10 years depending on previous results. Anyone with an abnormal FIT result is automatically referred to an urgent colonoscopy.
4 Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Screening is still in a PILOT stage in Ontario. Speak to your doctor to see if you are eligible.
5 Prostate Cancer
The PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test and Digital Rectal Exams are not considered routine screening. Speak to your doctor to learn more about Prostate Cancer screening.
6 Osteoporosis
Bone Density scan is recommended at around the onset of Menopause for women and at age 65 for men.
7 Diabetes
Screening for Type 2 Diabetes along with Cholestrol is recommended at age 40 and every 3 - 5 Years.
8 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
One-time screening with ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm for men aged 65 to 80 is advised for those who smoke or have smoked in the past.
Adult Immunizations
1 Influenza
Flu Shot Annually and can be done by our clinic, a pharmacy or through Public Health units ( please avoid Walk-in Clinics)
2 Tetanus Booster
Tetanus and Diphtheria booster every 10 years and Polio vaccine is added to this at least once as an adult, and every 20 years.
3 Pneumonia Vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine is taken once at the age of 65, sooner for special circumstances ( diabetes, asthma, etc)
4 Shingles
Shingles immunization once after the age of 50. If you had the Zostavax, we still recommend having the Shingrix ( Uninsured by OHIP) vaccine if 5 years have passed, as it has a much higher preventative rate.
4 RSV - Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccination is advised for all adults over the age of 60 in Canada. The vaccine is funded for those adults over age 60 who live in assisted-living settings like retirement homes or long-term care, but not for those living independently in the community.