Ontarians as young as 45 can get screened for colorectal cancer. Doctors and cancer advocates say the shift in colorectal cancer screening will save lives by catching a growing number of cases in younger adults before it's too late.
Why Did the Colorectal Cancer Screening Age Change?
As of July 1, 2026, Ontario has joined Prince Edward Island in lowering the colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45. Anyone in that range with an average risk of colorectal cancer can now get a simple at-home fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, which checks for trace blood in the stool and leads to a colonoscopy if the result comes back abnormal.
P.E.I. made the move first last March, and Ontario is now the second province to follow, while the rest of Canada still starts at 50. Barry Stein, president of Colorectal Cancer Canada and himself diagnosed at 41, wants that gap closed. "We should all be able to have the same advantages to prevent the disease, regardless of the province or territory that you live in," he said.
The change matters because colorectal cancer in younger adults has been rising for years and Cancer Care Ontario reports that nine in ten cases are curable when caught early.
What Does the FIT Test Actually Involve?
If you're between 45 and 74 in Ontario or P.E.I., ask your doctor or pharmacist about a FIT test kit. It's done entirely at home, with no hospital visit and no prep, just a small stool sample you mail or drop off at a lab.
Ottawa's Trish Riley knows what's at stake. Diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at 51, she had surgery and months of chemotherapy after the cancer spread to four lymph nodes. She's cancer-free now, but still thinks about the years between 45 and 50 when an earlier test might have caught things sooner.
FIT tests aren't perfect, and Riley had a false negative just months before her diagnosis. Even so, repeat colorectal cancer screening with proper follow-up still lowers the risk of dying from the disease, which is why doctors recommend testing regularly, not once.
Who Should Book Colon Cancer Screening Right Now?
If you live in Ontario or P.E.I., are 45 to 74, and have no family history that raises your risk, talk to your doctor about starting colon cancer screening now instead of waiting to be asked.
People with a parent, sibling, or child diagnosed before 60, or two relatives diagnosed at any age, are considered higher risk and usually get a colonoscopy instead of a FIT test, starting at 40 or ten years before their relative's diagnosis age, whichever comes first.
And if you already have symptoms, such as blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, changed bowel habits, or unexplained anemia, skip the FIT test and see a healthcare provider for proper assessment instead.
Got Questions About Colorectal Cancer?
At what age should you get screened for colorectal cancer in Canada?
In Ontario and P.E.I., routine colorectal cancer screening now starts at 45 for people at average risk. Everywhere else in Canada, it still starts at 50, and screening continues to age 74, typically every two years.
How accurate is the FIT test?
No screening test is 100 percent accurate, which is why regular repeat testing matters. An abnormal result leads to a colonoscopy, which can find and remove precancerous polyps before they turn into something worse.
Who needs a colonoscopy instead of a FIT test?
People at higher risk, such as those with a parent, sibling, or child diagnosed before age 60, or two family members diagnosed at any age. They can start screening at 40, or ten years before their relative's diagnosis age.
What are the warning signs of colorectal cancer?
Blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, a lasting change in bowel habits, and unexplained anemia are all warning signs of colorectal cancer. If any of these sound familiar, skip the FIT test and see a healthcare provider for proper assessment.
If you're in another province waiting for your government to catch up, use medimap.ca to find a family doctor or walk-in clinic near you and ask about your screening options today. Or you can also take a peek at the health-related questions we answer at the Medimap Health Hub.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to a healthcare provider about your screening options.
Find an allergy or specialist clinic near you? Search through Medimap — no referral needed.
Search clinics →