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Preventing and screening for Cancer

About 6,200 Nova Scotians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2017, however many of these cancers can be prevented or found early when treatment is more effective.

The Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program is working with partners to influence policy and planning to create environments that support Nova Scotians in being able to adopt healthy lifestyles. Nova Scotians can lower their risk of being diagnosed with cancer by:

  • Not smoking 
  • Being physically active 
  • Limit alcoholic drinks
  • Limit the amount of salt in your diet
  • Limit the amount of red and processed meats in your diet
  • Avoiding tanning beds and practicing sun safety
  • Participating in cancer screening programs
     
Nova Scotia has three organized cancer screening programs:
Cancer screening is about preventing cancer or finding it early when treatment is most effective, by looking for it before there are warning signs.

Clinics, Programs, and Services

Cervical Cancer Prevention Program

Contact

Cervical Cancer Prevention Program office
Tel: 1-888-480-8588 
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Individuals can request a print out of the cervical screening history (Pap tests performed...

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Colon Cancer Prevention Program

The Colon Cancer Prevention Program mails home screening kits to all Nova Scotians aged 50 to 74 with the goal of preventing cancer, or finding it early when treatment is...

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Accessing Primary Care

There are many ways to access primary care, even if you're not currently attached to a primary care provider.

Answer a few quick questions to receive personalized instructions for accessing Nova Scotia Health's primary care options near you including in-person, virtual and telephone options.

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Find Emergency Care

Use this tool to identify the emergency care options that are currently available nearest to you.

If this is a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance

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