Age to start colorectal cancer screening in Canada
About this resource
Colorectal cancer screening can detect cancer early and help prevent cancer by identifying and removing precancerous polyps. In Canada, most organized colorectal screening programs have historically started screening average-risk individuals at age 50; however, growing interest in lowering the screening start age has been driven by increasing rates of colorectal cancer among younger adults and emerging evidence on the potential benefits of even earlier detection.
This product brings together key Canadian evidence – including a national Watching brief, recent research and modelling analyses – to support evidence-informed discussions and decision-making about the potential benefits, harms, resource implications and implementation considerations of lowering the age to start colorectal cancer screening in Canada.