Colorectal cancer screening in Canada, 2026
About this section
Colorectal cancer screening is available in all jurisdictions to individuals who are asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer present) and at average risk for colorectal cancer. This section describes colorectal cancer screening programs, guidelines, and recruitment methods in provinces and territories across Canada. More information about programs who manage increased and high-risk participants can be found here.
Colorectal cancer screening programs in Canada
All jurisdictions offer colorectal cancer screening. There is variability in how each jurisdiction provides screening services, with some jurisdictions offering fully organized programs, while others screen opportunistically. Screening parameters, referral strategies, and promotional strategies, as well as integrated IT systems, are all elements of organized screening programs (WHO, IARC).
Colorectal cancer screening programs in Canada
In the table below, screening programs defined themselves as “full programs” if they are organized programs, are available jurisdiction-wide and embed a culturally safe approach to care. A full organized program would also include elements such as eligibility criteria, quality assurance mechanisms, patient navigation, participant recall, diagnostic follow up, etc. Programs defined themselves as “partial” if they are organized programs that have rolled out in certain sites or for certain populations across the jurisdiction, are being phased-in over time by gradually increasing the capacity of screening sites, or are otherwise still working towards being a full program. Programs without confirmed sustainable funding that are in early planning phases are defined as “under development.”
| P/T | Program start date | Program status | Program name | Agency responsible for program administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YT | 2017 | Full program, territory-wide | ColonCheck Yukon | Government of Yukon Health and Social Services |
| NT | 2020 | Full program implementation in 6 of 7 health regions
Expansion of program continues in the Yellowknife region |
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program | Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority |
| NU | 2025 | Full program implementation in 18 of 25 communities | Colorectal Cancer Screening Program | Government of Nunavut Department of Health |
| BC | 2013 | Full program, province-wide | Colon Screening Program | BC Cancer |
| AB | 2007 | Full program, province-wide | Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (ACRCSP) | Primary Care Alberta |
| SK | 2009 | Full program, province-wide | ColonCheck | Saskatchewan Cancer Agency |
| MB | 2007 | Full program, province-wide | ColonCheck | CancerCare Manitoba |
| ON | 2008 | Full program, province-wide | ColonCancerCheck | Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) |
| QC | N/A | Opportunistic CRC screening program started in 2013 for all eligible individuals with PCPs.
Since 2024, access to screening has been expanded to all individuals (with and without access to PCPs). A systematic and organized screening program with invitations will be available in the coming years (IT solution being developed). |
Colorectal cancer (colon and rectum) (program under development) | Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Ministry of Health and Social Services) |
| NB | 2014 | Full program, province-wide | New Brunswick Colon Cancer Screening Program | New Brunswick Cancer Network (NB Department of Health) |
| NS | 2009 | Full program, province-wide | Colon Cancer Prevention Program | Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program |
| PE | 2011 | Full program, province-wide | Colorectal Cancer Screening Program | Health PEI |
| NL | 2012 | Full program, province-wide | Newfoundland and Labrador Colon Screening Program | Cancer Care Program, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services |
Data are current as of February 2026.