January 23, 2007

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is launching Canada's first province-wide screening program to provide early detection of colorectal cancer and help save the lives of Ontarians who may be at risk, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in Canada but it is preventable," said Smitherman. "If detected in its early stages, there is a 90 per cent chance it can be treated and cured. That's why our government is increasing access to screening tests to help save lives."

In 2006, an estimated 7,500 Ontarians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In the same year, 3,100 died from the disease. Currently, only one out of five Ontarians age 50 and over are screened for colorectal cancer by any method.

The Ontario government is investing $193.5 million over the next five years to implement and expand the program to increase access to colorectal cancer screening for Ontarians aged 50 years or older. Experts recommend that all people aged 50 years and older should be screened for colorectal cancer.

Individuals aged 50 and over who are at average risk – having no family history of colorectal cancer or symptoms – will have access to an easy-to-use at home screening kit called the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). FOBT kits will be available through physicians' offices, walk-in clinics, and community health centres. As the program expands, the kits will also be available at participating pharmacies.

The program – developed in collaboration with Cancer Care Ontario, the provincial agency that co-ordinates Ontario's cancer services and prevention programs – will also increase access to colonoscopies, a procedure that examines the rectum and colon for polyps that might be cancerous. Individuals who have a positive FOBT test as well as those who are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer because they have a family history of this disease will continue to be referred for a colonoscopy.

Other components of the program include :

• A single laboratory to handle the processing of all fecal occult blood tests to ensure consistent quality standards and streamlined results
• The creation of a registry to send reminders about screening, assist in result and follow-up notification for individuals without access to primary care providers, and provide an evaluation tool to track overall program progress
• A comprehensive five-year public education campaign to educate the public and health care providers on the benefits of colorectal screening and early detection

"Ontario's colorectal cancer screening program will enable us to detect colorectal cancer much earlier when treatment is most effective," said Cancer Care Ontario President Terry Sullivan. "The colorectal cancer screening program joins the Smoke Free Ontario Act as one of the most important policies in Ontario's history to reduce suffering and death from cancer."

"As first-line health professionals, family physicians play a central role in preventing and detecting diseases," said Dr. Sandy Buchman, President, Ontario College of Family Physicians. "The Ontario College of Family Physicians is pleased to work with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Cancer Care Ontario on a program that will make a major difference to the health and well-being of the people of Ontario."

This is just the latest example of the McGuinty governments' commitment to fighting cancer. Other initiatives include :

• Investing $152.1 million to fund 19 cancer fighting drugs, including Velcade and Herceptin
• Investing $44.5 million in new or expanded programs at six regional cancer centres (Mississauga, Oshawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Sudbury and Thunder Bay)
• Reducing radiation wait times by 33 per cent over the last three years
• Investing in nine new or expanded regional cancer centres over the last three years

Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public :
1-866-410-5853

BACKGROUNDERS

Ontario's Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Evidence Highlights

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines, International Experience and Screening Methods

Preventing Colorectal Cancer

What Experts Are Saying About Ontario's New Colorectal Screening Program

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