The Ontario government is lowering the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 in response to a growing number of younger adults being diagnosed with the disease.
New guidelines published by Cancer Care Ontario state the updated screening program will officially begin on July 1, making Ontario one of the latest jurisdictions to expand early cancer detection efforts.
Health officials say the change is being introduced due to a “notable” increase in early-onset colorectal cancer cases across the province. Advocacy organizations, including Colorectal Cancer Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society, have been urging provinces and territories to lower the screening age, citing research showing that people under 50 are now significantly more likely to develop colorectal cancer compared to previous generations.
The updated Ontario guidelines align with moves already made in countries such as the United States and Australia, which also lowered their colorectal screening age to 45. Prince Edward Island became the first Canadian province to make the change earlier this year.
The province says the decision was based on expert medical recommendations, research evidence and predictive modelling that showed earlier screening can reduce both cancer rates and deaths linked to colorectal disease.
Under the revised guidelines, people between the ages of 45 and 49 will now be eligible for a fecal immunochemical test, commonly known as a FIT test. The at-home screening involves collecting a stool sample and sending it to a laboratory for testing. Individuals with normal results are advised to repeat the test every two years.
If blood is detected in the sample, patients are referred for a colonoscopy to investigate further.
The province is also changing recommendations for people with a family history of colorectal cancer. Those with an immediate relative diagnosed before the age of 60 will now begin colonoscopy screening at age 40, or 10 years earlier than the age their relative was diagnosed, whichever comes first.
Ontario’s Ministry of Health says the move is part of a broader effort to improve early cancer detection and follows the province’s earlier decision to reduce the breast cancer screening age from 50 to 40.
Health officials acknowledged the expanded program will initially increase demand for follow-up testing, surgeries and pathology services, but say earlier detection and removal of pre-cancerous growths is expected to reduce long-term pressures on the health-care system.
Barry Stein, president and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada, called Ontario’s decision “a huge step forward” and urged other provinces and territories to adopt similar screening standards.
Ontario residents will be able to return completed FIT kits at Rexall pharmacy locations or by mail through designated laboratory services once the expanded screening program begins this summer.