ColonCheck

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 five years.

The FIT is a simple test that can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own bathroom. The test doesn't require any preparation or dietary/medication restrictions.

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 the third in women. It is also the second leading cause of death from cancer for men and the 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 microscopic blood in the stool that is not visible to the naked eye.

How does a FIT help me?

Completing your FIT kit helps detect abnormal growths called polyps that may or may not be related to cancer.

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 (such as 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 I drop off the test?

The Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory in Regina will analyze your test and forward the results to ColonCheck.

ColonCheck will notify you and your doctor of your FIT result. Once the results are available, you can also view them on MySaskHealthRecord.

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.