Cancer Screening for Indigenous Wellness
Getting regular cancer screenings is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself against cancer.
Below you will find information about screening for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer.
You can also visit screeningforlife.ca to learn more.
Cervical screening
You’re recommended to start screening for cervical cancer if you’re a woman, or person with a cervix, aged 25 to 69 years old, starting 3 years after becoming sexually active.
Most cervical cancer can be prevented by having regular Pap or cervical screening (HPV) tests and getting the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.
A Pap test checks for changes to cells in your cervix caused by HPV. A cervical screening test checks for high-risk types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. It can be very stressful if your test results show changes or HPV is detected, but it doesn’t mean cancer. Treatment can stop cervical cancer from developing. It’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider.
Learn mores: Do I really need a pap test?
Learn more: Cervical screening test
Breast Screening
If you’re a woman 45 to 74 years old, consider getting a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) every 2 years or as often as you and your healthcare provider decide is best for you.
You don’t need to have any breast changes to benefit from a mammogram. About 1 in 7 women in Alberta will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Having regular mammograms is the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment may work better.
Know what looks and feels normal for you. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any breast changes.
Learn more: Do I really need a mammogram?
Colorectal screening
If you’re 50 to 74 years old, it’s a good idea to think about regular colorectal cancer screening. Getting screened is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Alberta for men and women together. It can grow without showing any symptoms. Talk with your healthcare provider about colorectal cancer screening.
Learn more: Get your colorectal screening.
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_cancer_screening_indigenous_inst.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: November 12, 2025
Author: Provincial Cancer Screening Programs, Primary Care Alberta
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
