The Mobile Cancer Screening Coach provides cancer screening and tobacco cessation services to people in the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant region who experience barriers to accessing services because they do not have a primary care provider and/or because they face transportation, cultural, or other personal barriers to participating in existing screening services in the community.
The Mobile Cancer Screening Coach provides a private, convenient and comfortable location where clients can get a mammogram, Pap test, colon screening kit and support to quit smoking.
The Mobile Cancer Screening Coach is staffed by a welcoming team of registered nurses, medical radiation technologists and a booking clerk. We work with community partners to bring cancer screening to locations where people can easily access services.
We also partner with employers through our Workplace Program to bring free cancer screening services to their employees while they are at work.
Care We Provide
The Mobile Cancer Screening Program provides:
- Mammograms for ages 50 to 74, every 2 years as part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program
- Pap tests for anyone with a cervix, ages 21 to 69, every 3 years as part of the Ontario Cervical Screening Program
- At-home colon cancer kits for anyone without a family history of colon cancer from 50 to 74, every 2 years as part of Colon Cancer Check
- Tobacco Cessation for anyone over the age of 18
If follow-up is needed following any of the screening tests that are done on the Mobile Coach, the client will be contacted and the appropriate follow-up appointments will be made.
Eligibility
Eligibility for services on the Coach is as follows:
- Mammograms for ages 50 to 74, every 2 years
- Pap tests for anyone with a cervix, ages 21 to 69, every 3 years
- At-home colon cancer kits for anyone without a family history of colon cancer from 50 to 74, every 2 years
- Quit smoking support for anyone over the age of 18
Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome. To book an appointment call 1-855-338-3131 or 905-975-4467 or find out where we are located.
Visiting the Screening Coach
What to expect
When you come to the Mobile Coach you can expect to be greeted by friendly staff. You will see an “open” sign in the window and are welcome to enter the Mobile Coach with or without an appointment. Please make yourself comfortable and let us know if you need anything to make your visit more relaxed. If English is not your first language, we can provide a translator.
During your visit
The receptionist will ask for your health card and invite you to take a seat in our waiting area. They may request some additional information and then send you to speak with a nurse in a private exam room where you will answer some questions about your personal and family health history. The nurse will tell you which screening tests you are eligible for and will offer quitting smoking support if appropriate, a pap test, and/or explain how to do the at-home colon kit. You can also get a mammogram in our private mammography suite. After your screening(s) are done, the staff will answer any questions you have and give you information about how you will get your results and when you are due for your next screening(s).
What to bring
Please bring your health card or Interim Federal Health Benefits information. You will also need your health care provider’s name and address, along with your address and a phone number you can be reached at.
After your visit
You will receive the results from your screenings by letter and your health care provider will also receive the results. If any follow-up tests are needed, you will receive a phone call from the Nurse Navigators or the Mammography Technologist on the Mobile Coach
Tour the Mobile Coach
View photos of the Mobile Cancer Screening Coach.
Resources
- Mobile Cancer Screening Coach general information
- Mobile Cancer Screening Coach schedule
- Mobile Cancer Screening Workplace Program
- Mobile Cancer Screening Coach FAQ
- Cancer screening and tobacco cessation resources
- For information resources and support for tobacco cessation, visit Smokers’ Helpline