Colon Cancer Prevention Program Launched
Cancer Care Nova Scotia launched a provincewide screening program for colon cancer today, March 25.
The Colon Cancer Prevention Program is being phased in across the province over the next two years, beginning first in three district health authorities, South Shore Health, Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority and Cape Breton District Health Authority.
"Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in Nova Scotia. Each year, about 800 men and women are diagnosed with colon cancer, and almost half of them will die from the disease," said Minister of Health Karen Casey. "Evidence shows there is a 90 per cent chance of curing this disease when detected early. It is our government's hope that, through this program, we will be able to reduce the number of Nova Scotians who die from colon cancer.
"On behalf of the government of Nova Scotia, I am pleased to see this program start to roll out. We are committed to delivering quality cancer prevention and care to Nova Scotians."
In early April all Nova Scotians, aged 50-74, in the three district health authorities, will begin receiving information on the program, encouraging them to participate. About two weeks later they will start receiving the screening kit, called a fecal immunochemical test or FIT. Not everyone in these communities will receive their kit at the same time because program rollout is being phased in. Those born in an odd year will receive their kit shortly after their birthday in odd years. Those born in an even year will receive their kit shortly after their birthday in even years. Since screening works best when it is done regularly, people will be invited to be screened every two years until they reach the age of 74.
"Building a quality colon cancer screening program for Nova Scotia has been an achievement of intense actions, professional co-operation and focused accomplishment," said Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "It has been like conducting an orchestra through a new piece of complex music. We have all the right elements, but it takes time to get it right.
"We've been working with Department of Health and district health authorities to phase the program in to assure quality, and getting all the elements right to ensure Nova Scotians have the best screening program possible. "This includes an information system to send screening kits to Nova Scotians, to collect and analyze data and to send reminder letters to people."
The FIT home screening test is easy to use in the comfort and privacy of an individual's home. It tests for very small amounts of blood in the stool, which may be a sign of growths in the colon. Instructions on the kit ask the participant to place a stool sample on a test card and return it to the lab in the special, postage-paid envelope provided in the kit. The lab processes the test, and Cancer Care Nova Scotia sends a letter explaining the results to both the participant and their family doctor or primary care provider. Those with a normal test, which finds no blood in the stool, will be asked to repeat the test in two years. Those with a test that shows blood in the stool, will be contacted to arrange a followup test called a colonoscopy to determine the origin of the blood.
"Colon cancer is a preventable cancer," said Dr. Bernard Badley, medical director, Colon Cancer Prevention Program. "Colon cancer, also called colorectal and bowel cancer, has a very long pre-cancerous stage. It often starts as small growths called polyps, and screening can help find them before they turn into cancer and also help us find cancers earlier when a cure is more likely.
"With screening, studies show that we can reduce the number of people who will die of the disease by up to one-third. Our screening program will save lives."
Screening is essential because there are often no warning signs of colon cancer in the early stages, when it is most treatable. Most people who get the disease have no family history of it. In fact, the greatest risk factor for colon cancer is being over the age of 50. This is why Cancer Care Nova Scotia is encouraging Nova Scotians, between the ages of 50 and 74, to be tested regularly for colon cancer.
The prevention program is aimed at Nova Scotians, aged 50-74 years who have no symptoms, no parents or brothers or sisters with colon cancer, and no hereditary or bowel condition known to increase risk. Individuals in these categories or anyone with concerns about colon cancer should speak with their family doctor about the best screening choice for them.
Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a provincial program of the Department of Health, was created to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians. Through Cancer Patient Navigation, health professional education, and standards and guideline development, Cancer Care Nova Scotia supports health professionals in providing patients with high quality care. Its work with other organizations raises awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer risk, and its screening programs educate Nova Scotians about healthy lifestyles and available testing like Pap tests for cervical cancer and the FIT kit for colon cancer. The goal is to find cancer earlier and treat it better.