Ontario lowers colorectal cancer screening age to 45

Ontario has lowered the routine colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45, making residents in that age group eligible for the athome fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, starting July 1. If the test shows an abnormal result, patients can be referred for a colonoscopy. The move makes Ontario the second province to adopt the lower screening age, after Prince Edward Island introduced the change in March. Cancer advocates say colorectal cancer is being diagnosed more often in younger adults and that earlier screening can help detect and remove precancerous polyps. The Canadian Cancer Society and Colorectal Cancer Canada are urging other provinces and territories to follow suit. They say earlier screening could improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, while people with symptoms or higher risk factors should seek different testing or medical assessment rather than using the athome test.