Colorectal cancer screening in Canada 2021/2022
Colonoscopy after an abnormal fecal test
Recall recommendation after an individual receives an abnormal fecal test but a negative colonoscopy varies across Canadian jurisdictions. Individuals are recalled for FIT or FTg in three, five, or ten years, depending on if they are considered to have low or high-risk adenomas (benign tumours).
Screening recall after an abnormal fecal test
| P/T | Recall after negative colonoscopy result | Recall for those with low or high-risk adenomas |
|---|---|---|
| YT | · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years or as recommended by an endoscopist | · Participants with hyperplastic polyp(s) are recommended to return to screening with FIT in 10 years. · Participants with low risk polyp(s) are recommended to return to screening with colonoscopy in 5 years. · Participants with high risk polyp(s) are recommended to return to screening with colonoscopy in 3 years. |
| NT | · If the results of the colonoscopy are normal, guidelines recommend repeat colonoscopy in 5-10 years | |
| NU | · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years | |
| BC | · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years | · Those with low risk adenoma(s) identified are recalled in 5 years for colonoscopy. · Those with high risk adenoma(s) identified are recalled in 3 years for colonoscopy. · Those with a strong family history or personal history of adenomas who have no adenomas identified would be recalled for colonoscopy in 5 years. |
| AB | · Participants who have had a colonoscopy enter a colonoscopy program in their health zone · Recall for screening determined by endoscopist and/or zone-based program (vary by zone) · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years |
|
| SK | · Recalled for FIT screening in 5 years | |
| MB | · Recalled for FOBT screening in 5 years | · Those with low risk adenoma(s) identified are recalled in 5-10 years for colonoscopy. · Those with high risk adenoma(s) identified are recalled in 3 years for colonoscopy. · Those with a significant family or personal history of are recalled for colonoscopy in 5 -10 years. |
| ON | · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years~ | · Those with hyperplastic polyp(s) in rectum or sigmoid should return to screening with FIT in 10 years. · Those with one or two low risk adenoma(s) are recommended to return to screening with FIT in 5 years. · Those with high risk adenoma(s) are recommended to have a surveillance colonoscopy 3 years after the initial colonoscopy. · People with >10 adenomas should undergo genetic assessment for familial adenomatous polyposis syndromes. The subsequent surveillance interval will depend on the results of the genetic assessment and whether the colon is cleared of polyps. |
| QC | · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years | |
| NB | · Recalled for FIT screening in 10 years | · Follow up by endoscopist as per existing guidelines. |
| NS | · Recalled for FIT screening in 5 years | · Participants with low-risk adenomas will resume FIT screening after approximately 5 years (skip two FIT cycles). · Participants with high-risk adenomas will be booked by the program for surveillance colonoscopy in 3 years. |
| PE | · Recalled for FIT screening in 5 years | · No recall activities by program initiated for colonoscopies. · PCP/participant coordinate and determine next procedures following CAG guidelines or recommendation in last colonoscopy report. |
| NL | · Recalled for FIT screening in 5 years | · Participants with low-risk adenoma(s) are recommended to return to screening with FIT in 5 years. |