[Person 1] Hi, sorry I’m late. I’m just coming back from a doctor’s appointment.
[Person 2] Doctor’s appointment? Is everything alright?
[Person 1] Oh, sure. I was just following up with my doctor about cancer screening.
[Person 2] Does that mean you think you have cancer?
[Person 1] No, not at all! I feel great and cancer screening simply means checking for early signs of cancer – things I may not feel or see myself.
[Person 2] Is that something that I should be thinking about doing too?
[Person 1] Well, my doctor told me that cancer screening is for people who feel healthy and don’t have any symptoms. Even if you don’t have a family history of cancer, it’s still important to get screened regularly for certain types of cancers.
[Person 2] Hmm. You’ve got my attention now. Why is screening important then?
[Person 1] Because getting screened for cancer regularly, before you have any symptoms, is the best way to find it early, when treatment is likely to work best.
Here in Alberta, any adult over a certain age can get screened for cancer.
For example, my doctor said that it’s recommended that anyone between the ages of 50 and 74 get screened for colorectal cancer. That means you and me – and your partner, too!
[Person 2] Good to know! Do you get screened for any other cancers?
[Person 1] My doctor also said that it’s recommended that we get screened regularly for cervical and breast cancer.
Think of it this way: You go to the dentist and eye doctor for regular check-ups, right?
[Person 2] Sure! I go because my health is important to me. I want to find things before they become a problem.
[Person 1] It’s the same with cancer screening – catching things before they become a problem. And cancer screening is free with your Alberta health card.
[Person 2] Hmm. It seems like a good idea. But do I have to go to a hospital?
[Person 1] Nope! You can talk to your family doctor or regular health care provider and they can help set up cancer screening for you.
[Person 2] Well, I guess I should make an appointment with my doctor to find out what cancer screening I should get done.
[Person 1] Great idea!
[Narrator] Talk to your doctor or regular health care provider today to learn more about whether you should get screened for cancer.
If you don’t have a doctor, visit albertafindadoctor.ca or call Health Link at 811.
Visit screeningforlife.ca for more information about cancer screening.
