Ontario has among the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths, after lung cancer. In Ontario alone, an estimated 8,100 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approximately 3,300 people died from the disease in 2009. When caught early through regular screening, colorectal cancer is 90% curable. Colorectal cancer screening can be the difference between life and death.
The ColonCancerCheck program is the first province-wide, organized screening program designed to raise screening rates and reduce deaths from colorectal cancer. The program provides funding to screen all average risk adults 50 years and older for colorectal cancer using the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) every two years, and to screen those at increased risk (i.e. with a first degree family member – parent, child or sibling – with colorectal cancer) with colonoscopy. Those at increased risk should be referred for a colonoscopy beginning at the age of 50 years, or 10 years earlier than the relative’s age of diagnosis, whichever comes first.
Assessing colorectal cancer risk
Risk assessment is the first step in determining which screening method is right for each patient. For an overview of colorectal cancer screening risk assessment, view the Clinical Reference Card at:
Additional information
For more information about colorectal cancer in Ontario, please click here
For more information about colorectal cancer statistics, please click here
|