Honouring the First Nations Path of Well-being WHAT IS CANCER SCREENING? Cancer screening means taking a test that can find cancer before you have any symptoms. Finding cancer early is one of the best ways we have of beating it. Getting screened regularly leads to healthier and happier lives for you, your family, and your community. WHAT IS THE COLONCANCERCHECK PROGRAM? ColonCancerCheck is a screening program in Ontario that encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to test for colorectal cancer. When you turn 50 years of age, ColonCancerCheck will send you a letter inviting you to be screened for colorectal cancer and gives you information on how to get screened. There are different ways to screen for colorectal cancer. The screening tests in the ColonCancerCheck program are: What happens after I complete my FOBT? Both you and your health care provider will receive the results of the test. If your test is normal (negative) you will receive a reminder letter from ColonCancerCheck Most people needing more testing will not have colorectal cancer. to be screened again in two years If your test is abnormal (positive) your health care provider will arrange for you to have a colonoscopy. What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is procedure where a doctor inserts a long flexible into the anus and is extended along the length of the colon. There is a small camera at the end of the tube to help the doctor see and remove any changes that might be visible. 1/Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) This test is recommended for men and women aged 50 to 74 with no symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer every 2 years. The FOBT is a simple test that can be done at home. The test looks for blood in your stool (poop) that can be an indication of colorectal cancer. Your health care provider will tell you how to complete the test. 2/Colonoscopy This test is recommended for people with: Symptoms of colorectal cancer A family history of colorectal cancer (parent, sibling, or child who has been diagnosed) A positive (abnormal) FOBT Ontario ColonCancerCheck Program
COMMUNITY LEARNING SERIES Signs and Symptoms Changes in shape of your stool from firm loose and narrow Blood in your stool Changes in bowel movement constipation You may not feel anything if you have cancer of the bowel Constant tiredness and weakness Colorectal Cancer Symptoms Urgent feeling to empty bowel Changes in bowel movement diarrhea Stomach discomfort Unexplained weight loss If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your health care provider. What happens after my colonoscopy appointment? You will be contacted by your primary care provider with the results of your colonoscopy. Your primary care provider will let you know when you need to be screened for colorectal cancer again. In some regions, flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by a registered nurse is also an option. This test is similar to a colonoscopy, but the tube is shorter and does not look at your entire colon. It generally does not involve sedation and the preparation before the test is simple. It is important to talk to your health care provider about what screening test is right for you. If you do not have a health care provider, you can still get screened! Call ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-410-5853 for more information. WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER? DOES IT AFFECT US? Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Ontario for both men and women. Colorectal cancer is a type cancer that develops in the colon and rectum (also known as the large intestine or large bowel). Most colorectal cancers start as small growths (polyps). Ontario has one of the highest rates of this kind of cancer in the world. We know that the number of First Nations men and women diagnosed with colorectal cancer has dramatically increased. However, if colorectal cancer is found and treated early, there is a 90% chance it can be cured. Screening is the best thing you can do to find colorectal cancer early. ARE YOU AT RISK? ColonCancerCheck program encourages all men and women between the ages of 50 to 74 to be screened for colorectal cancer. Some men and women are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. For example, people with a parent, sibling or child who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at an increased risk. If this applies to you, you should be screened with a colonoscopy when you turn 50 or 10 years earlier than the age that your relative was diagnosed, whichever occurs first. THE PATH TO WELLNESS A healthy lifestyle may reduce your chance of getting colorectal cancer, as well as many other diseases. Here are some simple things you can do: Maintain a healthy body weight Be physically active Eat a healthy diet It is easy to get screened! Talk to your health care provider about what screening test is right for you, or call INFOline at 1-866-410-5853. Colon Rectum Be smoke free Limit alcohol Be sun safe For more information, please visit: www.cancercare.on.ca/ coloscreening Anus
Honouring the Inuit Path of Well-being WHAT IS CANCER SCREENING? Cancer screening means taking a test that can find cancer before you have any symptoms. Finding cancer early is one of the best ways we have of beating it. Getting screened regularly leads to healthier and happier lives for you, your family, and your community. WHAT IS THE COLONCANCERCHECK PROGRAM? ColonCancerCheck is a screening program in Ontario that encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to test for colorectal cancer. When you turn 50 years of age, ColonCancerCheck will send you a letter inviting you to be screened for colorectal cancer and gives you information on how to get screened. There are different ways to screen for colorectal cancer. The screening tests in the ColonCancerCheck program are: What happens after I complete my FOBT? Both you and your health care provider will receive the results of the test. If your test is normal (negative) you will receive a reminder letter from ColonCancerCheck Most people needing more testing will not have colorectal cancer. to be screened again in two years If your test is abnormal (positive) your health care provider will arrange for you to have a colonoscopy. What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is procedure where a doctor inserts a long flexible into the anus and is extended along the length of the colon. There is a small camera at the end of the tube to help the doctor see and remove any changes that might be visible. 1/Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) This test is recommended for men and women aged 50 to 74 with no symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer every 2 years. The FOBT is a simple test that can be done at home. The test looks for blood in your stool (poop) that can be an indication of colorectal cancer. Your health care provider will tell you how to complete the test. 2/Colonoscopy This test is recommended for people with: Symptoms of colorectal cancer A family history of colorectal cancer (parent, sibling, or child who has been diagnosed) A positive (abnormal) FOBT Ontario ColonCancerCheck Program
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms COMMUNITY LEARNING SERIES Signs and Symptoms Changes in shape of your stool from firm loose and narrow Blood in your stool Changes in bowel movement constipation You may not feel anything if you have cancer of the bowel Constant tiredness and weakness Urgent feeling to empty bowel Changes in bowel movement diarrhea Stomach discomfort Unexplained weight loss If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your health care provider. What happens after my colonoscopy appointment? You will be contacted by your primary care provider with the results of your colonoscopy. Your primary care provider will let you know when you need to be screened for colorectal cancer again. In some regions, flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by a registered nurse is also an option. This test is similar to a colonoscopy, but the tube is shorter and does not look at your entire colon. It generally does not involve sedation and the preparation before the test is simple. It is important to talk to your health care provider about what screening test is right for you. If you do not have a health care provider, you can still get screened! Call ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-410-5853 for more information. WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER? DOES IT AFFECT US? Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Ontario for both men and women. Colorectal cancer is a type cancer that develops in the colon and rectum (also known as the large intestine or large bowel). Most colorectal cancers start as small growths (polyps). Colon Ontario has one of the highest rates Rectum of this kind of cancer in the world. However, if colorectal cancer is found and treated early, there is a 90% chance it can be cured. Screening is the best thing you can do to find colorectal cancer early. ARE YOU AT RISK? ColonCancerCheck program encourages all men and women between the ages of 50 to 74 to be screened for colorectal cancer. Some men and women are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. For example, people with a parent, sibling or child who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at an increased risk. If this applies to you, you should be screened with a colonoscopy when you turn 50 or 10 years earlier than the age that your relative was diagnosed, whichever occurs first. THE PATH TO WELLNESS A healthy lifestyle may reduce your chance of getting colorectal cancer, as well as many other diseases. Here are some simple things you can do: Maintain a healthy body weight Be physically active Eat a healthy diet It is easy to get screened! Talk to your health care provider about what screening test is right for you, or call INFOline at 1-866-410-5853. Be smoke free Limit alcohol Be sun safe For more information, please visit: www.cancercare.on.ca/ coloscreening Anus
Honouring the Métis Path of Well-being WHAT IS CANCER SCREENING? Cancer screening means taking a test that can find cancer before you have any symptoms. Finding cancer early is one of the best ways we have of beating it. Getting screened regularly leads to healthier and happier lives for you, your family, and your community. WHAT IS THE COLONCANCERCHECK PROGRAM? ColonCancerCheck is a screening program in Ontario that encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to test for colorectal cancer. When you turn 50 years of age, ColonCancerCheck will send you a letter inviting you to be screened for colorectal cancer and gives you information on how to get screened. There are different ways to screen for colorectal cancer. The screening tests in the ColonCancerCheck program are: What happens after I complete my FOBT? Both you and your health care provider will receive the results of the test. If your test is normal (negative) you will receive a reminder letter from ColonCancerCheck Most people needing more testing will not have colorectal cancer. to be screened again in two years If your test is abnormal (positive) your health care provider will arrange for you to have a colonoscopy. What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is procedure where a doctor inserts a long flexible into the anus and is extended along the length of the colon. There is a small camera at the end of the tube to help the doctor see and remove any changes that might be visible. 1/Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) This test is recommended for men and women aged 50 to 74 with no symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer every 2 years. The FOBT is a simple test that can be done at home. The test looks for blood in your stool (poop) that can be an indication of colorectal cancer. Your health care provider will tell you how to complete the test. 2/Colonoscopy This test is recommended for people with: Symptoms of colorectal cancer A family history of colorectal cancer (parent, sibling, or child who has been diagnosed) A positive (abnormal) FOBT Ontario ColonCancerCheck Program
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms COMMUNITY LEARNING SERIES Signs and Symptoms Changes in shape of your stool from firm loose and narrow Blood in your stool Changes in bowel movement constipation You may not feel anything if you have cancer of the bowel Constant tiredness and weakness Urgent feeling to empty bowel Changes in bowel movement diarrhea Stomach discomfort Unexplained weight loss If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your health care provider. What happens after my colonoscopy appointment? You will be contacted by your primary care provider with the results of your colonoscopy. Your primary care provider will let you know when you need to be screened for colorectal cancer again. In some regions, flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by a registered nurse is also an option. This test is similar to a colonoscopy, but the tube is shorter and does not look at your entire colon. It generally does not involve sedation and the preparation before the test is simple. It is important to talk to your health care provider about what screening test is right for you. If you do not have a health care provider, you can still get screened! Call ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-410-5853 for more information. WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER? DOES IT AFFECT US? Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Ontario for both men and women. Colorectal cancer is a type cancer that develops in the colon and rectum (also known as the large intestine or large bowel). Most colorectal cancers start as small growths (polyps). Colon Ontario has one of the highest rates Rectum of this kind of cancer in the world. However, if colorectal cancer is found and treated early, there is a 90% chance it can be cured. Screening is the best thing you can do to find colorectal cancer early. ARE YOU AT RISK? ColonCancerCheck program encourages all men and women between the ages of 50 to 74 to be screened for colorectal cancer. Some men and women are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. For example, people with a parent, sibling or child who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at an increased risk. If this applies to you, you should be screened with a colonoscopy when you turn 50 or 10 years earlier than the age that your relative was diagnosed, whichever occurs first. THE PATH TO WELLNESS A healthy lifestyle may reduce your chance of getting colorectal cancer, as well as many other diseases. Here are some simple things you can do: Maintain a healthy body weight Be physically active Eat a healthy diet It is easy to get screened! Talk to your health care provider about what screening test is right for you, or call INFOline at 1-866-410-5853. Be smoke free Limit alcohol Be sun safe For more information, please visit: www.cancercare.on.ca/ coloscreening Anus