Colorectal cancer is preventable: Here’s how to get screened

Dr. Kyle Fortinsky at RVH discusses the need for people to get screened for colorectal cancer, one of the most preventable cancers.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but it’s also the third leading cause in death from cancer in both men and women, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

So, what gives?

Physician Lead Dr. Kyle Fortinsky at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie says while genetics, environment, diet and weight play a role, the most common cause of colorectal cancer is people not getting screened.

Fortinsky tells CTV News people are hesitant to get screened because colonoscopies are an invasive procedure. It’s a bit of an ordeal having to take a bowel preparation and it can mean a day off work as well. However, he stresses the importance of getting screened to catch any issues early.

For a different option, there’s a new procedure that can be done in the comfort of your own home, where you can test your own stool for microscopic amounts of blood, an early sign for colon cancer or a concerning lesion. From there, people can follow up with their doctor and if there’s a problem, the doctor would send them for a colonoscopy.

The test is called a FIT test, which involves sampling your own stool, following the instructions in the package and mailing it away for a test.

Fortinsky says the idea is most patients who do this test won’t have to go for a colonoscopy, but if you do have something abnormal, it’s even more important you go for the colonoscopy afterwards.

When it comes to demographics, Fortinsky says, like most cancers, healthcare professionals are seeing colorectal cancer in older patients but not always.

“We are seeing, unfortunately, more cases in younger patients,” says Fortinsky.

With colorectal cancer becoming more common in younger people, that’s what’s led the U.S. to change their screening guidelines from age 50 to 45, according to Fortinsky. He also tells CTV News, people should stay tuned as something similar is about to happen here in Ontario.

In addition to young people, the health centre wants to target newcomers to Canada who don’t have a primary care provider to get screened.

For more information on colorectal, breast and cervical cancer, and to see if you are eligible to have a FIT kit mailed to your home, call the Simcoe Muskoka Cancer Screening Hotline at 1-866-608-6910.