Hamilton-area residents overdue for colorectal cancer check surpasses 40 per cent

More than 40 per cent of Hamilton-area residents between 50 and 74 years old who are eligible for colorectal cancer screening are overdue for their check.

COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years are likely part of the reason for the delay, as access to routine medical care and screening became more challenging, according to the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) Regional Cancer Program.

Screening increases the chances of finding cancer early. When caught early, nine out of 10 people can be cured," said Dr. Meghan Davis, regional primary care lead for Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, in a release. If someone has undiagnosed colorectal cancer and does not get screened, the chance for early and more effective treatment may be missed."

People without symptoms or a history of cancer in their immediate family are advised to get screened by doing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), an at-home poop test," every two years through the province's ColonCancerCheck Program. The test is free and can be ordered through a health-care provider and delivered to your home. The FIT can find cancer early, even before symptoms start. It can even detect evidence of precancerous growths that can easily and safely be removed before they ever turn into cancer," Davis said in the release.

In a 2020 Ontario Cancer Statistics report, colorectal cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, making up 10.1 per cent of diagnoses, preceded by female breast cancer at 13 per cent and lung cancer at 11.5 per cent.

For more information, visit hnhbscreenforlife.ca.

Beatriz Baleeiro is a reporter at The Spectator. bbaleeiro@torstar.ca