Colorectal cancer screening should start at age 45, group says

Colorectal Cancer Canada is urging provinces to lower routine screening to age 45 as diagnoses rise among younger adults, and the federal government has announced $41 million for new cancer research teams.

Colorectal Cancer Canada is recommending provinces and territories lower routine colorectal cancer screening to age 45 for average-risk Canadians. The group says this change is needed to reflect rising rates of the disease among younger adults. At present, provincial screening programs generally begin at age 50, so many younger adults are outside organized routine screening. The federal government announced a $41 million investment in 19 new cancer research teams that will include studies on colorectal cancer. Reported details: - Colorectal Cancer Canada recommends lowering the routine screening age to 45 for average-risk Canadians. - Provincial screening programs still generally start at age 50, which the organization says leaves a growing at-risk population without routine organized screening. - The Canadian Cancer Society estimated about 26,400 colorectal cancer diagnoses and 9,100 deaths in Canada for 2025, representing roughly 10 per cent of new cancer cases and deaths. - The federal government announced $41 million for 19 new cancer research teams, including projects related to colorectal cancer and collaborations to study early-onset cases. Summary: The recommendation would move the routine starting age for organized colorectal screening to 45 in response to reported increases in incidence among adults aged 45–49 and younger. Provincial programs remain set to begin at 50 and any change would require decisions by provinces and territories. The federal funding supports further research, and a formal change to screening start ages is undetermined at this time.