Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

The Department of Health is offering a colorectal pilot screening program for earlier detection of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is a disease that affects parts of the digestive system called the colon or rectum where a cancer or tumor may grow. Colorectal cancer is often preventable with regular screening and highly treatable when detected early.

This program will start as a pilot project and will launch in three Nunavut communities:

Completed: Gjoa Haven from March 3 to 9.
Arviat from March 12 to 17.
Pond Inlet from March 19 to 25.

Men and women between the ages of 50 and 74 are eligible to participate. This colorectal screening can be done in the privacy of your home using a simple stool collection test and returned to the health centre. You do not require a restricted or special diet or medications to complete the screening.

Participants will be notified of their results and given further instructions if required.

Screening tests help your healthcare provider find tumours or cancer before you even have symptoms. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.

For more information, contact cancernu@gov.nu.ca or call 867-222-1393.

###

Media Contact:

Danarae Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
dsommerville1@gov.nu.ca

Document(s):