Ottawa residents have a new reason to pay attention to their health: starting next month, Ontario is lowering the eligibility age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45, opening the door for thousands more people across the province — and the capital — to catch the disease early.
The change follows mounting evidence that colorectal cancer is showing up in younger people more often than it used to. For one patient whose cancer was originally misdiagnosed, the shift can't come soon enough. He's now using his story to encourage others not to brush off symptoms or skip screening, even when they feel healthy.
Why the screening age is dropping
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Canada, but it's also one of the most treatable when caught early. The problem is that early-stage cases often have few or no symptoms, which is exactly why routine screening matters. By lowering the age to 45, Ontario is aligning with growing calls from doctors and cancer advocates who've watched diagnoses creep into younger age groups.
For the patient at the centre of the story, an initial misdiagnosis delayed the discovery of his cancer — a scenario that screening is designed to prevent. His message is blunt: don't wait, and don't assume you're too young.
What it means for Ottawa
For Ottawa, the expanded eligibility means a larger pool of residents can request screening through their family doctor or, for those without one, through other provincial channels. The capital's hospitals and diagnostic clinics — already managing long waits for procedures like colonoscopies — will be part of the system absorbing the new demand.
That's where the concern comes in. Some patients and advocates question whether Ontario is truly ready for the additional pressure that comes with adding an entire new age cohort to the screening program. More people becoming eligible means more requests for follow-up testing, and colonoscopy capacity is already stretched in many parts of the province, Ottawa included.
Ontario says capacity is growing
The province says it's boosting capacity to meet the increased need, pointing to investments meant to handle the additional volume. Whether that keeps pace with demand in regions like Ottawa is the open question advocates are watching closely.
For now, the practical takeaway for people in the capital is simple. If you're 45 or older, talk to your health-care provider about screening once the new eligibility takes effect next month. Common first-line screening can be as simple as an at-home stool test, with colonoscopies reserved for those who need further investigation.
The bottom line
Early detection saves lives, and the lower screening age gives more Ottawa residents a chance to catch colorectal cancer before it becomes harder to treat. The survivor's story is a reminder that symptoms shouldn't be ignored — and that a misdiagnosis can cost precious time.
Source: CBC Ottawa.
