Who Can Participate?
Ontario’s colon cancer screening program, ColonCancerCheck, recommends thatindividuals, who are at average risk, should start screening for colon cancer at age 50 using a take-home colon cancer screening kit. Average risk means that you do not have any symptoms of colon cancer, and you don’t have a first-degree family history (parent, sibling or child) of colon cancer.
In addition to a negative family history, you must also:
- Live in Ontario
- Have no symptoms* of colon cancer
- Be between the ages of 50 and 74 years
- Have not had a colonoscopy
*Symptoms could include blood in your stool, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, and unexplained anemia or weight loss. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your health care provider about a referral for diagnostic testing.
Making an Appointment
Book your own appointment
You can call our office to book their appointment. When women call to make an appointment for a mammogram, they may be asked if they are eligible for a take-home colon cancer screening kit or Pap test as well. There is no charge for this service and you do not need a health care provider’s referral.
Call us at (807) 684-7777 or 1-800-461-7031. Your health care provider can also refer you to the Screen for Life Coach.
Once you have booked your appointment, you will receive a letter with the date, time, and location of your appointment.
Your Screen for Life appointment
Before your appointment, you will receive a letterfrom the Screen for Life office to remind you of your appointment on the Screen for Life Coach.
What to Expect
Screen for Life Coach
The Screen for Life Coach visits over 75 different locations across Northwestern Ontario. Parking at the Coach locations is free. When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of the two female staff who work on the Coach. There are private change rooms on the Coach, but there is no washroom. Please remember to use the washroom before you come for your appointment.
The Screen for Life Coach is wheelchair accessible.
Results
Within two to four weeks, Cancer Care Ontario’s ColonCancerCheck program will contact you directly with your colon screening test results. Your health care provider will also receive a copy of your results. If you don’t have a health care provider, Cancer Care Ontario will work to find you a health care provider to oversee your abnormal results.
If your results are normal you will automatically receive a letter from ColonCancerCheck in two years to remind you to get screened.
If your results indicate that further testing is required, Cancer Care Ontario’s ColonCancerCheck program will contact you directly to make arrangements for follow-up.
Your next appointment
ColonCancerCheck will send you a letter when it’s time for your next colon cancer screening appointment. Most individuals will return for colon cancer screening every two years. When you receive your letter, call our office to arrange your next appointment.
