Island Parent Magazine Dec-Jan 2023
Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years • Holiday Gift Guide • Simplifying Your Traditions • 2022 Family Favourites • Holiday Happenings • GRAND: A Special Feature for Grandparents
Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years • Holiday Gift Guide • Simplifying Your Traditions • 2022 Family Favourites • Holiday Happenings • GRAND: A Special Feature for Grandparents
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
HEALTH<br />
Take Back Your Health<br />
When your kid is sick, you don’t hesitate to do anything<br />
you can to make them feel better. You also<br />
probably try your best to keep up with all their well<br />
visits at the doctor. But when it comes to yourself, you may<br />
ignore your health and put off needed tests. Or you’re unaware<br />
that some of these tests are even recommended for you. This<br />
can especially be true if you don’t have a family physician—<br />
which unfortunately is the case for roughly 900,000 British<br />
Columbians!<br />
Do not put your health off any longer! There are some important<br />
tests you need to get to stay on top of any health issues—and<br />
you can access them even if you don’t currently have<br />
a family physician. Remember, early detection and prevention<br />
can help save your life!<br />
Cervix<br />
Regular Cervical Screening (typically referred to as a PAP<br />
test) is recommended for anyone who has a cervix. These<br />
screenings should be done every three years starting when you<br />
become sexually active or age 25, whichever comes first, right<br />
up to age 69. If you have a family history or have had previous<br />
issues with your cervix, it’s recommended that you get tested<br />
more frequently.<br />
If you don’t have a family doctor, PAP tests can often be<br />
booked at local walk-in clinics or urgent care centres by phoning<br />
them directly or visiting their websites. Depending on which<br />
community you live in there may also be women’s health clinics<br />
or sexual health centres you can visit for cervical screening.<br />
Breasts<br />
The BC Cancer Agency recommends that anyone with<br />
breasts get a mammogram every two years starting at age 40.<br />
You DO NOT need a doctor’s referral to get a mammogram!<br />
Simply visit the BC Cancer Breast Screening website to find the<br />
screening location near you. Or phone the number listed to find<br />
out when the mobile screening unit will be in your area. If you<br />
have a family history of breast cancer you may wish to speak to<br />
your family doctor, a telehealth doctor or a walk-in clinic doctor<br />
about early screening.<br />
Colon<br />
After age 50 everyone should start having regular FIT tests<br />
(Fecal immunochemical test). These tests can be done quickly<br />
14 <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Parent</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> <strong>Island</strong><strong>Parent</strong>.ca