On World Cancer Day, Cancer Care Ontario Introduces New Cancer Risk Assessments for Kidney Cancer and Melanoma

Ontarians Encouraged to Use My CancerIQ to Reduce Their Cancer Risk

World Cancer Day 2016 marks the first anniversary of My CancerIQ, and to mark this event, Cancer Care Ontario is introducing 2 new cancers to its online cancer risk assessment tool. Now, in addition to breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer, Ontarians can go to MyCancerIQ.ca to assess their risk for kidney cancer and melanoma.

Since the launch of My CancerIQ in 2015, more than 146,000 Ontarians have learned about their cancer risk and how to lower it. With these new additions, Cancer Care Ontario wants to help Ontarians better understand kidney cancer and melanoma and how they can reduce their risk. The incidence of both forms of cancer is on the rise in Ontario.

“With the addition of kidney cancer and melanoma to My CancerIQ, we aim to attract new Ontarians to the site and bring back those who have already received personalized assessments and action plans for cervical, breast, colorectal and lung cancers,” says Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “We are committed to providing Ontarians with proactive ways to manage their health.”

In 2015, an estimated 76,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Ontario and approximately 28,500 Ontarians died from cancer. Of those diagnoses, 3,250 were melanoma and 2,450 were kidney cancer.

Research has estimated that as many as half of all cancers in Ontario could be prevented by eliminating known risk factors. To reduce the risk of melanoma, Ontarians should enjoy the sun safely, avoid tanning equipment and know their skin so they can recognize changes or the need for a skin examination. To reduce the risk of kidney cancer, Ontarians should maintain a healthy blood pressure and weight and avoid smoking.

“The risk for melanoma is year-round as ultraviolet radiation can be intensified by reflecting off not just water and sand, but ice, concrete and snow. It is important to always practice sun safety, whether at home or away on holiday,” says Dr. Linda Rabeneck, Vice-President, Prevention and Cancer Control at Cancer Care Ontario. “We also encourage Ontarians to focus on leading healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of kidney cancer.”

To find out more about risk factors for kidney cancer and melanoma, Ontarians are encouraged to visit MyCancerIQ.ca to complete the cancer risk assessments, get their personalized action plans, and share and discuss these plans with their families and healthcare providers. My CancerIQ can be accessed from a smartphone, tablet or desktop.

For more information, follow Cancer Care Ontario on Twitter and Facebook and join the conversation using the hashtag #MyCancerIQ.

About My CancerIQ

My CancerIQ is a confidential online tool that allows Ontarians to determine their personal risk for melanoma, breast, cervical, colorectal, kidney and lung cancer. At the end of each My CancerIQ assessment individuals receive a personalized risk assessment and action plan with tips and resources based on their individual risk factors.

My CancerIQ was created by Cancer Care Ontario in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.