A doctor from the London Health Sciences Centre is urging adults who qualify to get screened for colorectal cancer after a recent change by a provincial health agency lowered the screening age for this serious illness to 45.
Michael Sey, a gastroenterologist at LHSC, mentioned that Ontario Health’s decision in July to reduce the minimum screening age for colorectal cancer from 50 to 45 comes as more cases of this potentially life-threatening disease are being seen in younger adults.
“A lot of research has come out over the last five (to) 10 years, which indicate that we’re seeing colon cancer more often in younger people, people younger than 50, mostly people in their 40s,” Sey explained. “That was the reason behind the drop in the age.”
Even though colorectal cancer can be treated effectively when caught early, Sey pointed out that one major issue is that there are usually no symptoms during the initial stages. He noted patients diagnosed at stage one have a five-year survival rate of 92 per cent.
Symptoms like abdominal pain, blood in stool, and iron-deficiency anemia typically show up only when colorectal cancer has progressed significantly; at that point, chances of survival decrease dramatically. He added that the five-year survival rate drops to just 10 per cent for patients at stage four.
“Some people can get even blockages like vomiting, but again, these are generally fairly advanced signs that we don’t want to wait for symptoms,” he said. “That’s the point of screening is you get it at such an early stage that you don’t even have symptoms.”
The Canadian Cancer Society welcomed this decision to lower the screening age for colorectal cancer.
The organization described this move as a “critical step” reflecting growing efforts across Canada to detect cancers earlier and save more lives. In a May news release, it stated Ontario became the second province to implement this policy due to rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults.
“The move comes on the heels of Prince Edward Island’s March 30 announcement and in response to increasing calls from CCS and other organizations to adjust screening programs based on changing needs,” noted the Canadian Cancer Society while encouraging other provinces and territories to take similar action.
Colorectal cancer ranks as Canada’s fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and is also its second leading cause of death related to cancer according to data from the Canadian Cancer Society. The group reports that rates are “climbing among people younger than 50,” with those under 50 now two to 2.5 times more likely than previous generations at the same age being diagnosed with it.
The reasons why colorectal cancer seems more common among younger adults today compared with earlier generations aren’t clear; however, Sey suggested dietary changes-like consuming more red meat and animal fats while eating fewer leafy greens-could increase risk levels.
Sey himself recently turned 45 and has been screened for colorectal cancer; he shared that his experience was straightforward.
He visited his family doctor who provided him with a screening kit along with instructions about a week later.
“Just follow the instructions, it’s really easy, and then you just put it back in that prepaid envelope, it’s already pre-addressed,” he said. “Just drop it off in a mailbox. You can also drop it off at any Rexall.”
If someone doesn’t have a family doctor yet, Sey advised them to call 811 for arranging screening appointments.
“I would say don’t delay,” Sey urged. “Go get screened today… (it’s) big for your health.”
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