Screening looks for disease before symptoms appear. It is not the same checklist for everyone: age, personal and family history, previous results, medications and personal preferences determine which tests are truly useful.
This guide summarizes common family medicine screening in Québec, from HPV testing at 25 to bone density testing at 70, with who each test is for and how often it is usually repeated.
Key takeaways
- The intervals below mainly apply to asymptomatic adults at average risk. Your history can change the schedule.
- Symptoms are never a reason to wait for screening. They need assessment.
- An abnormal screening test is not always a diagnosis, and a normal result cannot guarantee that disease will never develop.
- Bring the dates and results of previous tests to your preventive visit.
Screening tests at a glance
The following summarizes usual screening for adults without symptoms. Your individual risk and previous results may change when testing starts and how often it is repeated.
Cervical cancer
- Test: HPV test.
- Who: Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65, without symptoms and at average risk, in regions where it is offered.
- How often: Every 5 years, or generally every 3 years for immunocompromised people.
Cholesterol
- Test: Lipid panel.
- Who: Often offered around age 40, or earlier with risk factors.
- How often: For an untreated person at low risk, a 5- to 10-year interval may be reasonable.
Type 2 diabetes
- Test: Fasting glucose and/or hemoglobin A1C.
- Who: Adults from age 40, or earlier at high risk.
- How often: Every 3 years. Testing every 6 to 12 months may be appropriate at very high risk.
Colorectal cancer
- Test: Fecal immunochemical test, also called FIT.
- Who: Average-risk people aged 50 to 74, without symptoms or relevant history.
- How often: Every 2 years.
Breast cancer
- Test: Mammogram.
- Who: Insured women aged 50 to 74 through the Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program.
- How often: Every 2 years.
Prostate cancer
- Test: PSA blood test, following a shared decision.
- Who: Men who choose screening and have a life expectancy greater than 10 years, generally from age 50, or 45 at increased risk.
- How often: Depends on the previous PSA and overall risk. Screening generally stops around age 70.
Osteoporosis
- Test: DXA bone-density test.
- Who: Postmenopausal women and men at age 70; from 65 with at least one risk factor; or from 50 to 64 after an osteoporosis-related fracture or with at least two risk factors.
- How results are used: Results are combined with a tool such as FRAX to estimate 10-year fracture risk.
Cervical cancer: when should you have an HPV test?
In regions where it is offered, HPV testing is recommended every 5 years for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65 who have no symptoms and are at average risk.
For immunocompromised people, the usual interval is 3 years. During the transition from a normal Pap test, the first HPV test is generally done 3 years later.
A positive HPV result does not mean cancer; it means additional analysis or follow-up is needed. Unusual vaginal bleeding, especially after intercourse, requires diagnostic assessment rather than waiting for screening.
Read more: HPV test vs Pap test: cervical cancer screening in Québec
Cholesterol: when should you get a lipid panel?
A lipid panel is often offered around age 40, or earlier with smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity or a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
Results include total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but treatment decisions depend mainly on overall cardiovascular risk rather than one isolated number.
Do you need a cholesterol test every year?
For an untreated person at low risk, yearly testing is usually unnecessary; a 5- to 10-year interval may be reasonable if no new risk factor appears. Follow-up differs when treatment or cardiovascular disease is present.
Type 2 diabetes: when should you be screened?
Diabetes Canada recommends fasting glucose and/or hemoglobin A1C every 3 years beginning at age 40, or earlier for people at high risk.
Risk factors include:
- Family history.
- Prediabetes or gestational diabetes.
- Excess weight.
- Hypertension.
- Sleep apnea.
- Membership in some higher-risk ethnic populations.
Testing every 6 to 12 months may be appropriate at very high risk. Without symptoms, an abnormal result usually needs confirmation with a second test.
Colorectal cancer: who should do the FIT stool test?
For an average-risk person aged 50 to 74 with no symptoms or relevant history, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is recommended every 2 years.
The sample is collected at home. A positive result does not confirm cancer, but it usually leads to colonoscopy.
Rectal bleeding, black stool, a persistent change in bowel habits, anemia, weight loss, or significant personal or family history may require a different and faster pathway.
Read more: FIT test: at-home colon cancer screening in Québec
Breast cancer: when should you have a mammogram?
The Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program invites insured women aged 50 to 74 to have a mammogram every 2 years.
Before age 50, after 74, or with high risk, such as a genetic mutation, previous chest radiation or a strong family history, the decision and interval are individualized.
A new lump, bloody nipple discharge, recent nipple retraction or skin change should be assessed without waiting for the next screening mammogram.
Read more: Mammogram in Québec: PQDCS eligibility, what to expect and results
Prostate cancer: should you have a PSA test?
Québec does not have a universal organized prostate screening program. PSA testing is a shared decision after discussing possible earlier detection and the harms of false positives, biopsies, overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
For men who choose screening and have a life expectancy greater than 10 years, Canadian recommendations generally suggest starting at age 50, or 45 for increased risk such as family history or Black ancestry.
Between ages 50 and 70, the interval depends on the previous PSA and overall risk. An elevated PSA should usually be repeated and interpreted in clinical context before deciding about biopsy.
Screening generally stops around age 70 or earlier when life expectancy is under 10 years, but the decision remains individualized.
Read more: PSA test: what it is, when to start and what high levels mean
Osteoporosis: when should you have a bone density test?
DXA bone-density testing is suggested for postmenopausal women and men at age 70 even without risk factors. It is also suggested:
- From age 65 with at least one risk factor.
- From age 50 to 64 after an osteoporosis-related fracture or with at least two risk factors.
Important risks include:
- A fragility fracture after age 40.
- Parental hip fracture.
- Long-term corticosteroid use.
- Smoking.
- Low body weight.
- Repeated falls.
- Certain secondary medical conditions.
DXA results are combined with a tool such as FRAX to estimate 10-year fracture risk. A fragility fracture, height loss or new spinal pain requires assessment without waiting for routine screening.
Why your screening plan should be personal
These intervals mainly apply to asymptomatic adults at average risk. Personal or family history, previous surgery, pregnancy, immunosuppression and earlier abnormal results often change the schedule.
An abnormal screening test is not always a diagnosis and needs a defined follow-up. A normal result also cannot guarantee that disease will never develop.
At your preventive visit, bring the dates and results of previous tests. Your family physician can build a practical plan that avoids both missed screening and unnecessary testing.
Plan your screening with Bina Medical Clinic
At Bina Clinic, prevention is based on individual risk and shared decision-making. Your screening schedule should fit your medical history and include a clear plan for following every result.
Book a Preventative Health Review
Related: Consultation with a Doctor · Results Follow-Up
Official sources
- Gouvernement du Québec: Test VPH
- Gouvernement du Québec: Information on colorectal cancer screening
- Gouvernement du Québec: Programme québécois de dépistage du cancer du sein
- Diabetes Canada: Screening for Diabetes in Adults
- Canadian Family Physician: PEER simplified lipid guideline, 2023
- Canadian Urological Association: 2022 prostate cancer screening recommendations
- Osteoporosis Canada: Clinical Practice Guideline, 2023 Update
This article provides general information and does not replace a personalized medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
