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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
This month, the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program continues raising awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening and the new Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) mail out initiative.
Eligible individuals, aged 50 to 74, can order a free FIT kit on screeningforlife.ca or by calling AHS Screening Programs and have it mailed to them. Alternatively, Albertans can still see their regular health care provider to get a lab requisition to pick up a FIT kit.
Why a FIT mail out initiative? Due to the pandemic, the existing gap in Alberta’s colorectal cancer screening rates has widened. Screening delays and missed colorectal cancer diagnoses could disproportionately burden and affect those living in rural or remote areas and others facing barriers to access colorectal cancer screening. Implementing the FIT mail out provides all eligible Albertans with options to access screening, and helps to address patient barriers and overcome health disparities.
How providers can support this work
- Continue to talk to eligible patients about the importance of getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer.
- Encourage eligible patients to get screened with FIT every year.
- Let patients know they can order a FIT kit online (screeningforlife.ca) or by calling 1-866-727-3926 toll-free and have it mailed to them – no requisition required.
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