Ontario lowers colorectal cancer screening age to 45

Ontario will begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45 instead of 50 starting July 1, after health officials cited a rise in diagnoses among younger adults. The change follows pressure from cancer advocacy groups and aligns Ontario with Prince Edward Island, which lowered its screening age earlier this year. Under the new guidance, people aged 45 to 49 can receive the fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, through a doctor, and those with a close relative diagnosed before age 60 will be eligible for colonoscopy screening starting at 40. Doctors and survivors interviewed by Global News said the move could help detect cancers earlier and improve outcomes. Health officials also expect a modest increase in abnormal test results and higher demand for colonoscopies, surgeries, and pathology services as more people become eligible for screening.