News release

Colon Cancer Prevention Program Expands to South West Health

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Providing Nova Scotians across the province with access to a home screening kit for colon cancer is another step closer as the Colon Cancer Prevention Program expands to South West Health.

The budget, introduced April 6, includes $3 million to run the program provincewide. This supports government's four-year plan to make life better for families in every region.

The program is already in place in areas served by South Shore Health, Cape Breton District Health Authority and Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority. By spring 2011, it is expected to be available provincewide.

On behalf of Health Minister Maureen MacDonald, Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau officially launched the program's expansion in Yarmouth today, April 19.

"In line with government's commitment to provide better health care for families, I am pleased to see the Colon Cancer Prevention Program expand to South West Health," said Mr. Belliveau. "This program is key to preventing colon cancer, the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Nova Scotia, and finding it early when it can be most successfully treated."

In April, individuals, aged 50-74 who live in the area served by South West Health, will begin receiving information on the program. A couple of weeks later they will receive the home screening kit. Directions for completing the test in English and French are included in the kit.

"The response to the program in the three early districts has been great," said Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, Cancer Care Nova Scotia.

"Thirty per cent of those who have been invited so far have completed the test. We know from other screening programs that this participation rate in the early years of a program is considered very good. However, we will be aiming much higher. We are evaluating every aspect of the program as we implement it across the province."

The home screening test is easy to use. It tests for very small amounts of blood in the stool, which may be a sign of growths in the colon. Full details on what to do with the test and how to follow up are included in the kit.

"Colon cancer is a preventable cancer," said Dr. Bernard Badley, medical director, Colon Cancer Prevention Program. "People often think that if there are no signs or symptoms of a problem, all must be ok. That is not necessarily the case with colon cancer.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of people being regularly screened before there are any signs of disease. With screening, studies show that we can reduce the number of people who will die by up to one-third."

Dr. Umesh Prabhu, a gastroenterologist from South West Health, said screening for colon cancer is essential. "More often than not, there are no warning signs of colon cancer in the early stages when it is most treatable and most who get the disease have no family history of it. In 2008, 82 people in our district were diagnosed with colon cancer. The prevention program will change this."

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.

Gordon Treichel, who lives in Darling's Lake, Yarmouth Co., was 55 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. "Fortunately my cancer was detected in the early stages," said Mr. Treichel.

"As part of a routine checkup my family doctor suggested I complete a screening test for colon cancer. The test found blood in the stool. The next step was a colonoscopy, which found and removed polyps. Next was surgery. Today I am cancer free, most likely because my cancer was found very early through screening. I strongly encourage everyone who receives a home screening kit to participate in the program."

The prevention program is aimed at Nova Scotians who have no symptoms, no parents, brothers or sisters or children with colon cancer, and no hereditary or bowel condition known to increase risk. People in these categories or anyone with concerns about colon cancer should speak with their family doctor.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a provincial program of the Department of Health, was created in 1998 to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians. For more details go to www.cancercare.ns.ca/coloncancerprevention .