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Home | Screening test | Do as they do| FAQ

With so many medical tests and procedures out there, it’s only normal to be confused about what they do and might reveal.

So if you’re between the ages of 50 and 74, don’t wait until you have symptoms to talk to a family doctor or specialized nurse practitioner about the colorectal screening test (FIT).

If you’re between 50 and 74 years old, have no symptoms, and don’t have a high risk for colorectal cancer, it’s recommended that you take the screening test every two years. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases considerably with age, making it important to start taking the test as of 50 years old.
The colorectal screening test is an at-home test that involves taking a very small stool (poop) sample. It’s a quick, painless and non-restrictive test that requires minimal stool handling. The instructions are easy to follow and don’t require any special diet or preparation.

We invite you to consult the list of the instructions for taking the colorectal cancer screening test.

We’re also available online, by phone and by email to answer your questions:

  • Call us toll-free at 1-888-939-3333.
  • Live chat with an information specialist.
  • Fill our online form.

You can book an appointment on Clic Santé or speak to a family doctor or specialized nurse practitioner.

  • This service is free.
  • A medical follow-up is provided, even without a family doctor or specialized nurse practitioner.
  • You can directly access the test at local points of service (i.e., specimen collection, screening and vaccination centres)

The colorectal cancer screening test (FIT)

  • Detects blood in the stool that is invisible to the naked eye.
  • No prior preparation needed.
  • A free test that can be obtained at a local point of service with a prescription.
  • Done by the patient, at home, by collecting a small stool (poop) sample, with minimal handling required.
  • A fast, painless and easy test to take in the comfort of your own home.
  • If the test reveals traces of blood in the stool, a positive result, then the doctor will recommend further investigation in the form of a colonoscopy to establish a diagnosis.

A colonoscopy

  • A procedure that allows seeing inside the large intestine to check for polyps or colorectal cancer.
  • Preparation required: taking a laxative, having an enema or both to completely empty the colon.
  • Abstinence from certain foods and medications.
  • The procedure is ordered by a doctor if the colorectal cancer screening test result is positive or if a patient is at high risk.
  • Performed by a gastroenterologist in a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office.
  • Usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

To learn more about the benefits and limitations of these tests, the Canadian Cancer Society encourages you to consult a family doctor. 

Most cancers are the result of many risk factors. But sometimes colorectal cancer develops in people who don’t have risk factors.

You may be at higher risk if you have:

  • a parent, sibling or child with colorectal cancer 
  • a personal history of colorectal cancer 
  • a personal history of non-cancerous (benign) polyps in the colon or rectum 
  • inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) 
  • inherited conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (also called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC) 
  • signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer

For a list of all risk factors associated with colorectal cancer, you can visit the following page: Risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Don’t hesitate to talk to a family doctor about your risk. If you’re at higher risk, you may need a personalized screening plan.

If you have symptoms, consult a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner as soon as possible. The healthcare professional will be able to determine the most appropriate medical evaluation for you. 

Since the screening recommendations apply to individuals aged 50 to 74 who have no symptoms and aren’t at high risk for colorectal cancer, we encourage you to discuss your personal risk of developing this disease with a family doctor or specialized nurse practitioner. You can also make an appointment on Clic Santé so that a nurse can assess whether screening is appropriate for you. 

The Canadian Cancer Society urges the Quebec government to quickly implement an organized colorectal cancer screening program. Under this program, Quebec residents aged 50 to 74 would receive a personalized letter serving as a prescription every two years.

Despite the government's recent announcement allowing people aged 50 to 74 to make an appointment at a local service point (via Clic Santé) to get screened without having to see a doctor or specialized nurse practitioner, the burden of staying informed and up to date still falls on patients. An organized program has the potential to improve participation rates by directly inviting people aged 50 to 74 to get screened at the right time.
Our resources can help you make informed decisions and better understand early cancer detection. We invite you to consult the following booklet: Take the Next Steps to Finding Cancer Early.

We’re also available online, by phone and by email to answer your questions:

  • Call us toll-free at 1-888-939-3333.
  • Live chat with an information specialist.
  • Fill our online form.
Yes. Please call us toll-free at 1-888-939-3333 and someone will be able to help you with this. For languages other than French and English, we can call on an interpretation service. 

You can visit our What is colorectal cancer page for more information.

We’re also available online, by phone and by email to answer your questions:

  • Call us toll-free at 1-888-939-3333.
  • Live chat with an information specialist.
  • Fill our online form.

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