Medcan's Vital Five

Protect your heart. Prevent cardiovascular disease.

The Heart pillar emphasizes early detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. While 1 in 12 Canadians over the age of 20 live with diagnosed heart disease,1 the good news is that 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through targeted interventions.2 Learning your numbers can help you reduce your risk and help your heart stay strong and healthy for life. 

Heart-related biomarkers in the Annual Health Assessment include: VO2 max, ECG, ankle brachial index, and advanced blood biomarkers such as Lp(a), ApoB and hs-Troponin. We also track your grip strength, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and more – all of which impact your heart health.  

We also offer the Enhanced Heart Health Assessment, where you can go even deeper with advanced tests like the CIMT, Heart Function Blood Test, TMAO, and Echocardiogram. These assessments include a consultation with our cardiac team. And our Heart Health Genetic Screening helps you understand your inherited risks. 

Learn more about how to protect your heart by reading Medcan's Guide to Heart Health.

Detect cancer early. Personalize prevention.

The Cancer pillar addresses cancer risk through early detection and lifestyle modification. Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in Canada, responsible for just over 1 in 4 deaths.3 However, when cancer is diagnosed early, before it has time to spread, the overall 5-year cancer-specific survival rate is four times higher than when cancer is diagnosed late.4 Our proactive approach helps you understand your risk and maximises the opportunity for early detection. 

The Annual Health Assessment includes numerous tests that could indicate potential for cancer, including various blood tests, urinalysis and abdominal ultrasound as well as recommended age and gender-specific screenings such as mammogram and prostate screening antigen (PSA). We also assess lifestyle-related factors associated with cancer risk including nutrition, alcohol consumption, and smoking history. 

Medcan is also the official Canadian provider of the Galleri® test by GRAIL, which screens for over 50 cancer types, including aggressive types like pancreatic and ovarian, before they become symptomatic.* And we offer the Cancer Prevention Genetic Screening to better understand your inherited risks for certain cancers.

Sharpen focus. Strengthen emotional resilience.

The Mind pillar focuses on strengthening cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing by assessing the factors that shape how the mind functions over time – from stress management and mood stability to risks of cognitive decline. For Canadians with diagnosed dementia, the mortality rate from any cause is five times higher than for those with,5 yet nearly 50% of dementia cases are attributed to 12 modifiable risk factors.6 Knowing your individual risk helps you identify proactive changes that can meaningfully make a difference to your health and longevity. 

To support a full spectrum of cognitive and mental health, the Annual Health Assessment includes an optional consultation with a mental health professional to evaluate stress levels, mood patterns, sleep quality, and overall emotional resilience. Biomarker testing including audiogram, visual acuity, and blood-based biomarkers screens for abnormalities or impairments that can affect cognition and quality of life. A review of modifiable risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption can also identify where proactive steps can be taken to help reduce the risk of future cognitive decline. 

Our genetic screenings, such as Late-onset Alzheimer’s (APOE) Screening, help you understand your risk for cognitive disease and make informed health decisions. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing services offer comprehensive support to help you manage a mental health diagnosis or improve your overall wellness. 

Optimize energy. Prevent metabolic disease.

The Metabolic pillar assesses the biological and lifestyle factors that influence energy levels, weight regulation, and metabolic function and can lead to conditions including diabetes and liver disease. In Canada, cardiometabolic disease remains a leading cause of illness and death. Meanwhile, approximately 1 in 3 Canadians have diabetes or prediabetes.7 Because metabolic issues often develop silently, early testing is essential. 

Within the Annual Health Assessment, we test for over 80 metabolic biomarkers across nutrition, body composition, and important blood metrics. Advanced markers such as fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and uric acid provide the opportunity to uncover risk for metabolic dysfunction – identifying issues such as insulin resistance, potentially years before symptoms appear.  

Many of our programs, such as Weight Management and Nutrition, Personalized Fitness Training, and Men’s and Women’s Health, feature components that focus on metabolic function. Further testing, including our Enhanced Liver Health Assessment and Continuous Glucose Monitoring offer personalized insights and recommendations to help optimize your health and reduce the risk of metabolic disease. 

Learn more about metabolic diseases and their early warning signs here.

Move freely. Stay strong for life.

The Movement pillar supports long-term mobility by evaluating the physical capabilities that keep you strong, flexible and independent as you age. Staying in good physical health is one of the most important things you can do to optimize your quality of life and longevity. However, many people suffer from conditions that restrict their ability to stay active in everyday life – like arthritis, which affects 1 in 5 Canadians and 1 in 2 aged 65+.8 This pillar helps identify issues early to prevent injury, maintain fitness, and ensure optimal muscle and joint function over time. 

The Annual Health Assessment involves assessments of joint motion, muscle strength, respiratory function, and functional movement patterns to identify areas of weakness or instability that may limit daily activity. Comprehensive testing also includes submaximal VO2 testing to measure cardiorespiratory fitness, InBody scanning to review body composition factors such as lean muscle mass, and, if applicable, bone density testing.  

Our comprehensive Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation services include sports medicine,  physiotherapy, personal fitness training, pain injections and more. Our model is centered on physician-led care to address the root causes of injury and pain and integrated solutions to help you move well, for life.