Ontario launches $200 million colorectal cancer screening program

Posted by Kate Murphy on January 24th, 2007

The Canadian Province of Ontario has announced a widespread program to screen residents in the province for colorectal cancer.  The effort is two-pronged

  • Screening all people over 50 with fecal occult blood tests (FOBT).
  • Reaching and testing people with a family history of colon or rectal cancer with colonoscopy.

Those who test positive for hidden blood in their stool on the FOBT will have a follow-up colonoscopy to rule out advanced polyps or colorectal cancer.

George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Health, said that $193.5 million would be devoted to the program over the next five years.

In a telephone interview with the Toronto Globe and Mail, Barry Stein, President of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, said,

We believe this program will not only save lives but it is also economically advantageous in view of the high cost of treatment in Canada. We will continue our efforts to ensure that all Canadians benefit from similar programs in the future.

In 2006, 20,000 Canadians were expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2006 and 8,500 died of it, including 3,100 in Ontario.

Screening can prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing polyps, known as adenomas, that can develop into cancer.  Screening also leads to early detection of colon and rectal cancers when they are most curable.

More information from CBC News, the Toronto Sun., and the Toronto Star.

Comments (1): Add a comment

One Response to “Ontario launches $200 million colorectal cancer screening program”

  1. January 22, 2008 at 7:17 pm, debita Harripersaud said:

    Hello

    I am currently doing an onlinedistance course through BC university. The Topic that has been chosen is colorectal cancer screeing program of Ontario. I was hoping to get some assistance interms of locations online that I can actually access details i.e, the policy, ways the government implemented it and plans to evaluate it. this info would be greatly appreciated if I’m not asking too much

    Thanks

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