Preventing health problems during adulthood

Depending on the frequency, amount and extent of drinking, alcohol can lead to the development or aggravation of many diseases, including several types of cancer, pancreatitis and cirrhosis.

It can also cause accidents and serious psychosocial problems, such as alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).

Ask a healthcare professional to guide you toward low-risk consumption and, if necessary, toward appropriate resources that will help you get there.

For further information:

• Partying and getting drunk 
  Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Alcochoix+
• 811 phoneline: Info-Santé (option 1) or Info-Social (option 2)
• Alcohol – Drugs: Help and referral 
  Phone line 24/7 (1-800-265-2626), chat and community resources referrals
• Consumption of alcohol and other drugs, and gambling

The aorta is the body’s largest artery, and carries blood from the heart through the stomach (abdomen) to the legs. Sometimes, whether because of advanced age, smoking or hypertension (high blood pressure), the wall of the aorta may weaken and swell. The swollen wall, called an aneurysm, risks rupture, causing an often fatal hemorrhage.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is recommended for all men between 65 and 80 years of age, whether they have been smokers or not. This screening is undertaken just once, using abdominal ultrasound. Screening only takes a few minutes and causes no adverse effects. Studies suggests that women need not be screened, whether they have been smokers or not, since they are less at risk.

To help you decide whether to participate in AAA screening or not, a healthcare professional can explain the advantages and disadvantages of being screened or not.

For further information:

Patient Tool – Benefits vs Harms 
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

For further information:

• Colorectal cancer (colon and rectum)
• Reduce your risk of cancer 
  Canadian Cancer Society
• Colorectal cancer screening
• Colonoscopy
• Instructions for the immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT)
• Video: Test de RSOSi  (in French only)
  Canadian Cancer Society

Prostate cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer in Canada after lung cancer and breast cancer. However, most prostate cancers grow slowly and only a small proportion of men who get it die from it.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is used to screen for it. Routine screening is not recommended, however: the benefits are minimal compared to the sometimes severe adverse effects of interventions (ex., surgery or radiotherapy) when the screening is positive.

If you are between 55 and 69 years old with a life expectancy of more than 10 years and you want to be screened, talk to a doctor or specialized nurse practitioner to find out the pros and cons. The healthcare professional can then prescribe the test. A decision-making tool such as the Decision Box  can also help you understand the issues better.

For further information:

• Prostate Cancer—1000-Person Tool 
  Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
• Video – The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test 

Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus is spread mainly through sexual contact. It can cause lesions in the cervix that gradually turn into cancer. The HPV screening test (HPV test) or the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test, which is conducted during a gynecological exam, can detect cervical cancer in its early stages, so it can be successfully treated.

In 2022, the Minister of Health announced that the HPV test would gradually replace the Pap test. In regions of Québec where the HPV test is not yet available, the Pap test is still recommended for cervical cancer screening.

HPV and Pap tests are recommended for anyone who is or has been sexually active. Screening with the HPV test is offered to women between the ages of 25 and 65, every 5 years. The Pap test is offered to women between the ages of 21 and 65, every 2 to 3 years.

To support you in your decision to participate in cervical cancer screening or not, a health professional can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of participating with you. In addition, the health professional can tell you how to prevent this cancer, perform the test and recommend vaccination against HPV, as needed.

For further information:

• Cervical cancer

Lung cancer is the most diagnosed and most fatal form of cancer in Québec. For people who smoke, it is strongly associated with smoking. A screening test may be offered to people aged 55 to 74 who:

• have smoked for at least 20 years on a continuous or non-continuous basis;
  or
• have smoked for at least 20 years on a continuous or non-continuous basis, and who have stopped for less than 15 years.

If you meet these criteria and you are insured by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), learn the benefits and the limitations of participating in the screening test.

If you are interested in the screening, ask a healthcare professional to refer you to the lung cancer coordination centre to check your eligibility. You can also communicate directly with the Centre by telephone at 1-844-656-4312 or by e-mail at depistagecancerpoumon@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.

If you smoke or stopped smoking recently, support with quitting or avoiding a relapse will be offered to you. For further information, see the Smoking among adults section.

For further information:

• Lung cancer
• Lung cancer screening demonstration project
• Lung Cancer Screening Demonstration Project coordination centre: 1-844-656-4312
  or depistagecancerpoumon@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Canada and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, after lung cancer.

Mammography can detect early-stage breast cancer, increasing the chances for successful treatment. As part of the Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program, this exam is offered every two years to all women between the ages 50 and 74 who have no symptoms of breast disease, who are not at increased risk of breast cancer (no personal or family history of breast cancer or genetic mutation, no radiotherapy to the chest before age 30) and who are registered with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). These women receive a letter of invitation that serves as a prescription for a mammogram at a designated screening center (CDD), but participation in PQDCS breast cancer screening remains voluntary.

Women who do not participate in the program can undergo a mammography with a prescription from a physician or specialized nurse practitioner.

To reflect on the pros, cons and limits of the breast cancer screening, see the page Breast cancer screening.

For further information:

• Breast cancer screening

• Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program

• Breast cancer – Decision support tools
  40-49 years , 50-59 years  , 60-69 years  , 70-74 years  
  Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

For further information:

• Diabetes
• Healthy lifestyle habits
• FAQ - What is type 2 diabetes? 
  Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

For further information:

• Healthy lifestyle habits
• Do you know your cardiovascular age 
  My health checkup
• Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines 
  Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
• Mediterranean diet 
  Institut de cardiologie de Montréal

For further information:

• Healthy lifestyle habits
• L’activité physique dans la prévention et le traitement de l’hypertension artérielle  (in French only)
  Société québécoise d’hypertension artérielle (SQHA)
• Hypertension Canada’s recommended BPM devices listing 
  If your health professional recommends it, you can monitor your blood pressure using a recommended device
• Mesurer sa pression artérielle à domicile  (in French only)
  Société québécoise d’hypertension artérielle
  Use the digital grid with integrated average calculator.
• Monitorage ambulatoire de la pression artérielle  (in French only)
  Société québécoise d’hypertension artérielle
• Les aliments influençant votre pression artérielle  (in French only)
  SQHA
• Le sel élément de haute pression  (in French only)
  SQHA
• Hypertension artérielle – Questions Réponses  (in French only)
  SQHA

Sexually transmitted or blood-borne infections (STBBIs) can have harmful effects on health and lifelong consequences. Infected individuals, often because they have no symptoms, can pass an STBBI to their partners without knowing it.

It is recommended that you have your sexual health assessed at least once a year by a health professional to determine if STBBI risk factors are present. The healthcare professional will offer advice to adopt and maintain safe behaviour (ex., using condoms). The healthcare professional will also inform you about screening for certain STBBIs and will be able to recommend vaccines (ex., vaccines against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the mpox (monkeypox) virus). As needed, the healthcare professional will offer you preventive treatment if you have been exposed to an STBBI. If you have an STBBI, the healthcare professional will be able to help you notify your sexual partners.

For further information:

• Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections
• Screening for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections

Excess weight and obesity are caused by several factors including genetics, the environment in which we live, lifestyle, etc. But even when we are well informed, willing and determined, it is sometimes difficult to regularly adopt behaviour that promotes healthy lifestyle habits, particularly dedicating enough time to regularly engaging in physical activities and eating well.

Excess weight and obesity increase the risk of developing health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Perception of weight could also have an impact on self-esteem, mental health and social pressure.

A healthcare professional will be able to determine the causes and possible consequences of excess weight and direct you to the appropriate resources. The use of medication, products or services to lose weight can negatively impact health and is often ineffective over the long term. Bariatric surgery (different operations that help with weight control) is reserved for people who have serious health problems associated with weight.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, a health professional can help you with planning optimal weight gain to reduce the risks during pregnancy and childbirth and preventing future problems for you and your child. Breastfeeding is part of the recommended preventive measures.

For further information:

• Body weight
• Canadian Guidelines for Body Weight Classification in Adults 
  Health Canada
• Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator 
  Health Canada
• Healthy eating
• Canada’s food guide – Make water your drink of choice 
  Health Canada
• Improving your health through physical activity
• Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines 
  Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
• Le temps d’écran, une autre habitude de vie associée à la santé  (in French only)
  Institut national de santé publique du Québec

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can permanently damage the skin and eyes. Prolonged exposure and sunburns can increase the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma. Most skin cancers develop locally and can be treated with surgery. However, melanoma can spread quickly to other organs and cause death. If you are a person at high risk of developing melanoma , consult a healthcare professional who will be able to advise you and help you recognize suspicious lesions.

Artificial ultraviolet rays

Artificial tanning offers no health benefits and all exposure to tanning equipment is recognized as carcinogenic. In addition, artificial tanning is associated with risks of burns, accelerated skin ageing, eye inflammation and weakening of the immune system.

Natural ultraviolet rays

Avoid exposure to the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Choose locations in the shade or protect yourself with a sunshade, wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers the arms and legs providing effective sun protection. If exposure to the sun cannot be avoided, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Ensure that the sunscreen is applied 30 minutes before exposure, then reapply every two hours, after swimming or after intense physical effort. Sunglasses are recommended and must offer “100% UV protection” or “UV 400”.

For further information:

• Protection from the sun and UV rays
• Tanning
• Sunscreens 
  Health Canada
• Dear 16-year-old Me video 
  David Cornfiled Melanoma Fund

Tooth decay is caused by sugars in food and bacteria in the mouth. It affects people of all ages.

To prevent tooth decay, it is important to:

• schedule a dental exam at least once a year or as recommended by the dentist;
• brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes.
• also brush your tongue from the back to the front;
• floss (or use an interdental toothbrush) once a day if your teeth are touching.

If you suffer from dry mouth:

• use a toothpaste with high fluoride content (5,000 ppm), because dry mouth increases the risk of cavities;
• drink small sips of water or suck on ice cubes;
• ask a pharmacist for advice on saliva-replacement products;
• avoid drinks containing caffeine, alcohol or citrus juices;
• check with your doctor to see if medication is the cause.

If you have difficulty brushing your teeth, use an electric toothbrush or ask for help from a loved one.

If you have dentures, it is recommended that you brush the mucous membranes of your mouth and your tongue twice a day with a toothbrush and brush your dentures with a denture cleaner or gentle soap. Remove dentures at night and place them in a container filled with water.

Adopt healthy eating habits at all times and make water your drink of choice .

Given the risk to the health of your mouth, a healthcare professional will be able to support you in quitting smoking. For further information, see the Smoking among adults section.

For further information:

• Trouver les programmes gouvernementaux et autres solutions d’accès aux soins buccodentaires  (in French only)
  Ordre des dentistes du Québec – Dentaccès
• Trouver un dentiste  (in French only)
  Ordre des dentistes du Québec
• Preventing tooth decay
• Dental services 
  Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec

For further information:

• Québec sans tabac  (in French only)
• The effects of smoking and second-hand smoke on health
• The health benefits of quitting smoking
• Smoke free lifestyle
• QUIT TO WIN! CHALLENGE 

Several serious diseases can be avoided through vaccination. Vaccines not only protect the vaccinated person but also limit the spread of diseases in the community.

Diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, shingles vaccine, human papillomavirus vaccine or other vaccines may be recommended for you based on your health condition, your lifestyle or your exposure to certain risk factors, such as travel.

Consult a health professional to find out which vaccines you may receive, especially if you have not received any vaccines or if your vaccinations are not up to date.

For further information:

• Québec Immunization Program
• Vaccination
• Demystifying beliefs regarding the risks of vaccination