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ColonCancerCheck

What is the ColonCancerCheck program?

ColonCancerCheck was launched to the public in the spring of 2008 as the first population-based, organized colorectal screening program of its kind in Canada.

The goals of ColonCancerCheck are :

• To reduce deaths from colorectal cancer through an organized screening program;
• To support health care providers in providing the best possible colorectal cancer screening for their patients.

 

Organized screening programs like ColonCancerCheck provide important quality benefits including the ability to :

• invite individuals to participate in screening;
• remind individuals to be screened;
• track participants throughout screening and diagnostic processes; and
• continually evaluate program quality and performance.

The ColonCancerCheck program recommends that you get screened for colorectal cancer with an FOBT kit every two years if you are 50 years of age and older and are at average risk for colorectal cancer. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer in a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) or have symptoms, the program recommends a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer.

Talk to your family doctor or nurse practitioner at your next routine health exam about the right screen for you.

 

The screening methods that are part of the ColonCancerCheck program are :

1. Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

   The FOBT is a simple, self-administered test that can be done in the privacy of your own home. It can detect the presence of trace amounts of blood in your stool. A positive test result doesn't necessarily mean that you have colorectal cancer but does require follow-up to find out if you do have colorectal cancer. Approximately 5% of people with a positive FOBT are found to have cancer during a follow-up colonoscopy. It is recommended that everyone 50 years and older should be screened with a FOBT every two years.
   
   

2. Colonoscopy

   A colonoscopy is an examination of the lining of your rectum and colon using a long flexible tube with a camera on the end. It is recommended for individuals at increased risk, such as those who have one or more close relatives (parent, sibling or child) who had colorectal cancer and those with a positive FOBT result.

For more information go to the Frequently Asked Questions.