Cancer Screening - Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Ontario. Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. Men have higher rates of colorectal cancer than women. Colorectal cancer refers to a cancer that starts in either your colon or rectum. The colon and rectum make up your large bowel (intestine).

All women and men are at risk however, most colorectal cancers affect people who are 50 years and older. Cancer screening may lower your chance of getting colorectal cancer, as screening can find and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer.

What you can do:

• Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about when you should start being screened for colorectal cancer.

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends:

• Men and women age 50 and over have a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) at least every 2 years.FOBT helps identify polyps early before they become cancerous.
• Follow-up for a positive test should include a colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema (an x-ray of the large intestine) and sigmoidoscopy.