Colorectal Cancer Screening

The PEI Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) has been offering and promoting screening for Island residents at average risk since 2012 using a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that detects microscopic blood in the stool. In July of 2022, navigation to colonoscopy was added to program so anyone with a positive FIT is connected to a nurse navigator who schedules them direct for a colonoscopy. In July of 2024, the program expanded further to allow unaffiliated islanders at increased risk for colorectal cancer (e.g., family or personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomas) to self-refer for a colonoscopy.

Screening for individuals at average risk is recommended every two years between the age of 50-74 using a FIT. Screening for individuals at increased risk is recommended to begin at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the youngest affected first degree relative using a colonoscopy. 

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/colorectal-cancer-screening-program

One-sample FIT Kit and navigation to colonoscopy  

In June 2023, the CCSP moved to a one-sample FIT Kit that can be done at home. For anyone who completes a CCSP FIT Kit, the program will send them a letter with their results (normal/negative, abnormal/positive, or incomplete/rejected). If abnormal/positive, a nurse navigator from the program will call the client to:

  • Complete a comprehensive health assessment over the telephone 
  • Schedule a colonoscopy appointment, if appropriate
  • Provide bowel prep education
  • Provide timely reminder and follow-up calls

NOTE: PCPs continue to receive FIT results from the Provincial Laboratory Services for CCSP clients, however, they do not need to refer clients with a positive result to an endosocopist for a follow-up colonoscopy. Following the telephone assessment, the navigation team will only communicate to PCPs if the client was declined navigation to a colonoscopy.

PCPs play a key role in promoting screening by: 

  • Doing a risk assessment to determine which screening method is appropriate for each patient- i.e., FIT vs. colonoscopy 
  • Distributing FIT Kits or ordering a colonoscopy 
  • Talking about it- a personalized message from a PCP to a patient can be the most effective recruitment method to organized screening

PCPs can order FIT Kits from the PEI Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in the following ways: 

Reminder to check your current inventory of FIT Kits to ensure that they are not expired or about to expire. 

Colonoscopy referral

PCPs refer individuals at increased risk for colorectal cancer for a colonoscopy.  For individuals at increased risk who do not have a PCP, a NEW Colonoscopy Self-Referral option is now available: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/request-to-self-refer-for-a-colonoscopy

If you have any questions about the PEI Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, please call 902-368-5901 or to speak to a Nurse Navigator call 902-288-1123 or email crnavigator@ihis.org.

Resources- Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

Resources- Diagnostic Navigation to Colonoscopy 

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