CHARLOTTETOWN -– Prince Edward Island has become the first province in Canada to lower the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer to 45, marking a significant shift in public health policy as cases among younger individuals continue to rise.
Premier Rob Lantz announced the immediate implementation of the new screening guideline, stating that waiting until age 50 is no longer sufficient given current health trends.
The move follows calls from national health organizations, including Colorectal Cancer Canada and Canadian Cancer Society, which have highlighted an alarming increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses among people under 50. Experts say individuals in this age group are now two to two-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed than in previous generations.
P.E.I.’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Cory Deagle, noted that the province records approximately 140 new colorectal cancer cases and 39 related deaths annually. He emphasized that earlier screening could significantly reduce both incidence and mortality rates.
Health officials estimate that for every 100 additional colonoscopies performed, nearly three cancer cases could be prevented. Medical experts in the province have confirmed that the healthcare system has the capacity to support the increased screening demand, with only a modest rise in testing volumes expected.
Dr. Erin McCarvill, a physician specializing in oncology and a medical adviser with Health P.E.I., pointed out that a significant number of patients aged 50 to 55 are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease. Lowering the screening age, she said, will help detect cancers earlier, improving outcomes and reducing the need for intensive treatment.
The standard screening process involves a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which individuals can complete at home. Abnormal results are followed up with further diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopies.
Despite the availability of screening, participation remains a concern. Data indicates that only about 35 per cent of eligible residents in P.E.I. have completed colorectal cancer screening within the past two years, well below the national target of 60 per cent.
Health advocates have praised the province’s decision as a critical step forward and are urging other provinces to adopt similar measures. Officials say the next priority will be increasing awareness and encouraging more Canadians to participate in regular screening.
The policy change reflects a growing recognition across Canada that earlier detection is essential in combating one of the country’s most common and increasingly early-onset cancers.