Screening Program for Colorectal Cancer: ColonCheck

Our Screening Program for Colorectal Cancer, now called ColonCheck, mails an easy-to-use test kit called a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to Saskatchewan residents who:

• Are between the ages of 50 and 74;
• Have a valid Saskatchewan Health Services card;
• Have not been previously diagnosed with colorectal cancer
• No history of inflammatory bowel disease; and
• No history of colonoscopy in the past 5 years.

The FIT is a quick and easy test that can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own bathroom. 

Why is screening for colorectal cancer important?

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon or bowel cancer, is the second most diagnosed cancer in men and third in women. It is also the second leading cause of death from cancer for men and third for women in Saskatchewan. 

Colorectal cancer often develops with few, if any, early warning symptoms. Approximately 90 per cent of colorectal cancers can be prevented or successfully treated if caught early. That’s why it’s so crucial that we raise awareness about the importance of regular screening. 

About the FIT 

Taking the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years will help find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective. The FIT can find blood in the stool. The FIT kit has no diet or medication restrictions. 

How do I receive my test kit?

ColonCheck will mail letters and home-based test kits to eligible participants, based on information provided by eHealth Saskatchewan. 

What do I do after I complete the test?

After you complete the test, place it in the supplied postage-paid envelope and drop it off at a medical laboratory (like LifeLabs) or an indoor Canada Post retail location. Please do not leave the sample in an outdoor mailbox. The test is time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive, and should be dropped off as soon as possible. 

What happens after the test?

The Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory will analyze your test and forward the results to the screening program. The screening program will send the results to you and your health-care provider or medical clinic.

What if I do not have a health-care provider?

You can still participate in the ColonCheck screening program if you do not have a health-care provider. 

We encourage you to check the Saskatchewan Health Authority website for a clinic directory for your area. In some communities, medical clinics may serve as the health-care provider.