Colon Cancer Prevention Program Expands to
CANCER CARE N.S.--Colon Cancer Prevention Program Expands to Pictou County Health Authority
More Nova Scotians will have access to a home screening kit for colon cancer as the Colon Cancer Prevention Program expands to Pictou County Health Authority.
The expansion of the screening program is part of government's efforts to provide better health care for families in every region.
MLA Clarrie MacKinnon, on behalf of Health Minister Maureen MacDonald, officially launched the program's expansion at the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow today, Nov. 4.
"Today brings us another step closer to providing all Nova Scotians between the ages of 50 and 74 with access to screening for colon cancer. Government is committed to making health care better for Nova Scotians and providing this program is an important part of improving health care," said Mr. MacKinnon.
"Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Nova Scotia. This program is key to preventing it, detecting it and treating it early."
The program is already in place in South Shore Health, Cape Breton District Health Authority, Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority, South West Health, Colchester East Hants Health Authority and Annapolis Valley Health. By next spring, it is expected to be available provincewide.
This week, people between the ages of 50 and 74 who live in the Pictou County area will begin receiving information on the program followed by a home screening kit with directions in English and French.
The home screening test is easy to use. It tests for small amounts of blood in the stool, which may be a sign of growths in the colon.
"Colon cancer is a preventable cancer," said Dr. Bernard Badley, medical director, Colon Cancer Prevention Program. "People often think that if they have no signs or symptoms, everything must be ok. But that isn't 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."
Although in its early stages and the program is not yet available throughout the province, it is making a difference.
"The screening program has identified a number of individuals with early cancers and pre-cancers," said Dr. Badley. "Without screening, these likely would not be found until a much later stage when treatment is far less effective."
Karen Briand, who works for Pictou County Health Authority and Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority, lives in Antigonish where the program is currently available. She has personally experienced the value of the Colon Cancer Prevention Program.
"I truly believe that this program has been a lifesaver for me," said Ms. Briand. "The FIT test pointed to a possible problem and a colonoscopy confirmed I had early stage colon cancer. Since then I've had surgery and now I'm being closely followed.
More often than not, there are 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. The greatest risk factor for colon cancer is being older than 50. Nova Scotians, age 50 to 74, are encouraged to be tested regularly.
"About 45 people living in the area served by the Pictou County Health Authority will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year," said Pat Lee, health authority CEO. "This new screening program will make a difference in the lives of our families and communities, but people need to participate for this to happen."
"The systems that have been put in place for screening, rapid follow-up and treatment contributed to making what could have been a very frightening experience, extremely timely and positive," said Ms. Briand.
"Having lost a co-worker to bowel cancer, I consider myself very lucky. I urge everyone to take advantage of this program. You have little to lose and possibly a lifetime to gain."
For more details on colon cancer or the kits, go to www.cancercare.ns.ca/coloncancerprevention.
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.