The Screen for Life Coach: Bringing Cancer Screening Close to Home

When we think of medical appointments, we often think of visiting a hospital or clinic. However, did you know, that you can have your cancer screening appointments done on a bus?

The Screen for Life Coach has changed the game for those living in Northwestern Ontario. The Coach gives you the opportunity to get screened for cancer close to home. With the goal of improving accessibility, the Coach travels throughout the region during the summer months stopping in communities along the way and spends the winter months parking in various locations around Thunder Bay.

What is the Screen for Life Coach?

The Coach is a mobile cancer screening service offering breast, cervical and colon cancer screening in one convenient location.

Who can make an appointment on the Screen for Life Coach?

There are three cancer screening programs available to residents in Ontario: breast, cervical and colon.

1. Breast screening: Most women, as well as Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary people between 40 to 74 years of age should have a mammogram every two years. A mammogram is the recommended method for detecting breast cancer.
2. Cervical: Anyone with a cervix, ages 25 to 69 years, who has ever been sexually active, should complete a Pap test every three years to screen for cervical cancer.
3. Colon: Anyone ages 50 to 74 years with no family history of colon cancer should complete a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit every two years to screen for colon cancer.

Where does the Screen for Life Coach park?

Each year, the Coach parks in more than 75 different locations across Northwestern Ontario. From April to October, the Coach travels to communities between Manitouwadge and the Manitoba border. Throughout the winter months, the Coach parks in various locations around Thunder Bay. This winter, the Coach will be parked at the following locations:

• Fresh Co. on Court St.
• Safeway on Dawson Rd.
• Bulkzone on Frederica St.
• Arthur Street Marketplace
• Superstore
• Skaf’s Just Basics
• Northwood Plaza

And many more. The Coach schedule can be found at tbrhsc.net/screenforlife.

Who works on the Screen for Life Coach?

The staff on the Coach work in teams of two. There is one Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) and one Registered Nurse (RN) who work together at the same time. The MRT perform the breast screening mammogram and the RN provides the cervical screening through a Pap test and also coordinates colon screening with a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit requisition.

How can you make an appointment on the Coach?

If you are eligible for breast, cervical and colon cancer screening, you can book all three appointments back to back. It is a one-stop shop to get all your screening done at once. All appointments can be booked by calling (807) 684-7777. We have morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend appointment times available to best accommodate your schedule.