Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

Rising health care costs remain one of America’s top concerns — so it is with some interest that we follow a new Canadian health campaign, launched this week, that endorses home screening for colorectal cancer that is both cost-effective and preventative.

Colorectal cancer refers to both cancer of the colon and cancer of the rectum. It’s the third most common cancer in the United States and, according to the National Cancer Institute there are about 150,000 new cases of colon and rectal cancer each year resulting in 50,000 deaths. The Canadian province of Ontario has one of the world’s highest rates of colorectal cancer, so their health ministry has taken the lead on promoting early screening for colorectal cancer with a simple home test that assesses the risk of colorectal cancer.

When discovered early, the chance of survival is nearly 90 percent, but the cancer is often asymptomatic until it has progressed. In the later stages of colorectal cancer, symptoms include changes in bowel habits, bright red or very dark blood in the stool, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss and exhaustion.

The home screening advocated by the Canadian government has proven successful in both the UK and Finland. It involves three stool tests to check for blood. The tests are done on three separate days. A small amount of stool is placed on a special card and then a developer is used to check for blood. The card changes color if blood is present.

The presence of blood does not necessarily mean you have colon cancer, but it can be an indicator. If blood is present, a colonoscopy to check for colon polyps, growths or cancer is then performed. Only about 10 percent of the positive home screening tests lead to the discovery of colon cancer.

At present, individuals over age 50 are recommended to have a colonoscopy every two years. Those at increased risk for colon cancer based on family history need earlier and more frequent screening. According to Ontario’s health ministry, death rates from colorectal cancer have decreased by 16 percent during a decade of biannual colonoscopies. Now, a cost effective pre-screening is available that can save lives with early detection and treatment.