Preventative care is the essence of family and community based medicine. It is the care you receive to prevent illnesses or diseases. 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 Based on research evidence, the annual physical examination has been replaced by the Periodic Health Examination for patients with no apparent medical problems. This is to ensure that appropriate tests and immunizations are done at the right times which can differ from one individual to another.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada recommends a Periodic Health Examination every
1 -3 Years depending on your age and health status.
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 Immunizations)
- At 12 Months ( MMR, Menjugate)
- 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 is sufficient.
Adult Screening
1 Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer Screening ( PAP Test) starting at age 21, every 3 years, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
2 Breast Cancer
Mammogram screening starts at age 50, every 1 - 2 years, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
3 Colorectal Cancer
Colon Cancer screening starts at age 50 unless you have symptoms or family history, the fecal immunochemical test ( FIT ) is done every 2 years.
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
Although PSA test and Digital Rectal Exams are not considered screening. Speak to your doctor to learn more about Prostate Cancer
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. 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.
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.