The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, the Prairie North Health Region and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency issued a joint press release March 26 to announce that the provincial government is increasing funding for colorectal cancer screening province-wide.
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, which operates the Screening Program for Colorectal Cancer, a population-based provincial screening program for the early detection of colorectal cancer, will use the funds to increase the number of people screened every year. The agency uses advanced fecal immunochemical tests for screening, which test for trace amounts of blood in the stool. The tests can be performed in the privacy of one's home and are sent through the mail.
As of February 2012, around 52,000 people have been invited to participate in the screening program in Five Hills, Kelsey Trail, Regina Qu'Appelle, Athabasca, Keewatin Yatthé and Mamawetan Churchill River. The program is also available in Heartland and Cypress health regions and is expected to expand this year into Prince Albert Parkland, Saskatoon, Sun Country and Sunrise health regions.
Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. In Saskatchewan in 2011, 690 people were diagnosed and 270 died from the disease.
