The Ontario government says it will lower the eligibility age for publicly funded colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 beginning July 1.
The province said the change will allow more than one million additional Ontarians to access screening services aimed at detecting colorectal cancer earlier, when it is most treatable.
People considered at increased risk will also become eligible for publicly funded screening at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the youngest age a first-degree relative was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
“Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Canada, with rates rising among younger people,” Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health, said in a release.
“That’s why we are taking this critical step to connect more than one million younger Ontarians to detection and treatment as early as possible, so that they can get the care they need, when and where they need it.”
Under the current system, patients under 50 require a referral following an examination or signs and symptoms to access screening.
The province said eligible residents aged 45 to 49 will begin receiving letters from the ColonCancerCheck program starting July 1. Individuals without a primary care provider will also be able to access screening through Health811.
The government said colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ontario and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the province.
“When colon cancer is found early, 9 out of every 10 people with the disease can be cured,” the province said in the release.
