Ontario announced on July 1 that the eligible age for at‑home colorectal cancer screening has been reduced to 45. The province’s Ministry of Health said the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) will now be offered to any resident who is 45 years of age or older, expanding the program that previously targeted adults 50 and older.
The adjustment applies to the province’s existing FIT program, a non‑invasive stool test designed to detect hidden blood that can signal early signs of colorectal cancer. Under the new rules, Ontarians aged 45 and up can obtain a test kit through their primary health‑care provider or an online portal, after which the kit is mailed directly to the individual’s home.
With this change, Ontario becomes the second Canadian province to lower the screening age for colorectal cancer. The move follows a similar policy shift adopted earlier by another province, reflecting a broader trend across the country toward earlier detection strategies.
The Ministry of Health indicated that the program will continue to be funded through the provincial health budget, and that the lower age threshold is intended to increase the number of early diagnoses. No specific targets or projected impact figures were released in the announcement.
Residents who are newly eligible are encouraged to speak with their health‑care provider to arrange for a test kit. The FIT can be completed at home and mailed back to a laboratory for analysis, with results typically returned to the patient’s physician for follow‑up if needed.
The policy takes effect immediately on July 1, allowing eligible Ontarians to begin accessing the screening service without delay.