Getting checked for colon cancer just got easier with the introduction of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in Ontario. The free test is now available to eligible people in Ontario through Cancer Care Ontario’s organized colon cancer screening program, ColonCancerCheck.
Getting checked for colon cancer just got easier with the introduction of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in Ontario. The free test is now available to eligible people in Ontario through Cancer Care Ontario’s organized colon cancer screening program, ColonCancerCheck.
FIT is a simple, safe and accurate at-home test that checks stool for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by colon cancer and/or pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon or rectum) that can turn into cancer over time. The FIT is for men and women ages 50 - 74 who have no symptoms and no family history of colorectal cancer. The test is to be completed every two years.
FIT replaces the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) that required patients to collect stool samples on three separate days and avoid certain foods and medications before the test.
- The new test has many advantages:
- FIT is better at detecting colon cancer and pre-cancerous polyps;
- FIT is more user-friendly because it includes an easy-to-use collection device;
- FIT requires only one stool sample; and
- When completing FIT, there are no medication or dietary restrictions (including vitamin C).
“We hope that this easy-to-do test will lead to more people being screened,” says Dr. Tamara Siddall, Erie St. Clair Regional Primary Care Lead. “Getting screened increases the chance of finding colorectal cancer early, when it is smaller and easier to treat. When caught early, nine out of 10 people can be cured.” In Ontario, Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths. It is estimated that in 2018, about 11,595 people in Ontario were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and about 3,359 people in Ontario died from the disease. JEV Marketing & Communications is helping to promote the new screening test locally to encourage eligible individuals to be screened. Gasper Faraci, who is President of the company and a colorectal cancer survivor, created a campaign for the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program free of charge. “I know firsthand how important early detection is when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. It is my hope that the awareness generated by this campaign will encourage more people to get screened,” says Faraci.
The marketing campaign featuring “Sam the Poop Emoji” goes step-by-step through the easy-to-conduct test and encourages eligible people to get screened. WATCH: FIT test promotional video produced by JEV Marketing & Communications. To find out if you are eligible for the FIT, speak to your primary care provider or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-828-9213. For more information on colon cancer screening in Ontario, visit Cancer Care Ontario - Screening for Colorectal Cancer.