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Colon Screening Program

The BC Cancer Colon Screening Program, including the two screening tests for colon cancer – the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and colonoscopy - are key to preventing colon cancer or finding it early.

Colon cancer is the second deadliest cancer and one of the most preventable cancers. If detected at its earliest stage, the chance of survival is over 90 percent. Screening can prevent colon cancer by finding and removing polyps (small growths that can develop in the colon or rectum) before they become cancer. Removal of non-cancerous polyps reduces your chance of colon cancer by more than 90 percent. 

How it works

Your primary care provider registers you with the Colon Screening Program when he/she provides you with a lab requisition form to pick up your fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or refers you for colonoscopy.

Being registered with the program means that the program will mail you your FIT results and keep track of your screening progress to ensure quality and safety. The Colon Screening Program will also mail you a reminder when it is time to test again.

Eligibility

  • If you are between 50 to 74 with no symptoms, you should get screened for colon cancer every two years.
  • Lives in British Columbia
  • If you have blood in your stool, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, or weight loss, talk to your family doctor about a referral to see a specialist.

Referral

  • Talk to your family doctor to determine which screening test is right for you.
  • If you are eligible for screening, your doctor will give you an order form for a free FIT kit or will refer you to a patient coordinator (nurse) for your community for a colonoscopy assessment
  • If you are doing a FIT kit, you can take the order form to a lab location and pick up your FIT kit.
  • Follow the instructions in the kit to collect samples of your stool in the privacy of your own home, and then drop the sample off at a participating lab.
  • If you are being referred for a colonoscopy, a patient coordinator will contact you directly.

  • FIT test

    The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a test you can do at home. It detects blood in your stool (poop) which can be a sign of pre-cancer. To complete the test:

    1. Talk to your health-care provider and ask for a FIT. If you are eligible for screening, your health care provider will give you an order form for a free FIT kit.
       

    2. Take your order form and your BC Services Card/CareCard to a designated lab, and pick up your test kit. 

      Find a VCH Laboratory location

    3. Take the test at home by following the instructions provided in the test kit. No special preparation is needed. You can continue to eat your usual foods and take your medications.
    4. Drop your sample off at the lab. Your sample must be submitted to the lab within seven days of taking the test.
    5. You can access your result through Health Gateway. Otherwise, you can contact your health-care provider for your result.
       
    6. If you have an abnormal result you will be referred for follow-up in your community. An abnormal result does not mean that you have cancer. It means that blood was found in your stool. The health-care team in your community will speak with you about your test result and make recommendations for follow-up testing. 

      Colonoscopy is usually recommended following an abnormal FIT result. While waiting for your colonoscopy, please speak with your health care provider if you are experiencing these symptoms at any time:
      • Blood in your stool
      • Abdominal pain
      • Change in bowel habits
      • Unexplained weight loss

    For more information about the FIT, watch this animated video (also available in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Punjabi).

  • Colonoscopy

    A colonoscopy is recommended every five years for people with at least one of the following:

    • an immediate family member with colon cancer diagnosed under the age of 60,
    • or two or more first-degree relatives with colon cancer diagnosed at any age,
    • or a personal history of adenomas – a type of non-cancerous tumors.

    If you have a personal history of colon cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, you should continue to obtain care through your specialist and family doctor. You should not be screened through the Colon Screening Program.

    Learn more about colonoscopy on the BC Cancer website

     

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