"Colorectal cancer screening is essential for Quebecers as it is 90% preventable and curable if caught in its early stages. This year, we anticipate that approximately 5,900 Quebecers will be diagnosed with the disease and about 2,500 will die from it. Screening will not only help to reduce the incidence of the disease by finding and removing polyps before they become cancerous, but will also increase survival by affording individuals with early stage disease the ability to obtain treatment when the disease is most curable," said Barry D. Stein, president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada.

"The CCAC has been advocating for primary prevention, screening and equal and timely access to effective treatments throughout the country. We are thrilled that the Minister and the Government of Quebec have elected to implement the program. At the same time, it is also imperative that the standard of care in the treatment of the disease be provided to ensure that the lives of those already touched by the disease are prolonged and that their quality of life is maintained," Stein added.

The CCAC has been calling for all provinces to implement colorectal cancer screening programs since 2005. Since that time all provinces have become members of the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Network and have committed to bringing in a colorectal cancer screening program.

The screening program will ultimately be integrated with a global policy to combat colorectal cancer, which will include a primary prevention component designed to promote healthy lifestyles associated with lowering the risk of the disease. The CCAC advocates for an integrated approach which entails primary prevention including smoking cessation, reduced alcohol consumption, a healthy diet and regular exercise to prevent the disease and its recurrence.

Source: COLORECTAL CANCER ASSOCIATION OF CANADA