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Screening Guidelines
When and how often to get screened
Screening means checking for cancer or pre-cancerous polyps before you have any symptoms. Canada's guidelines recommend starting at age 50 for people at average risk.
BC Colon Screening Program
- The BC Cancer Colon Screening Program recommends a FIT (fecal immunochemical test) every 2 years starting at age 50
- If your FIT test is positive, you'll be referred for a colonoscopy
- If you have higher risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting earlier or going directly to colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy ordered by a physician is fully covered by MSP — there is no cost to you
You may need earlier or more frequent screening if you have
- A parent, sibling, or child who had colorectal cancer or advanced polyps
- A personal history of polyps or colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Certain genetic conditions (Lynch syndrome, FAP)
- Symptoms such as blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, or a change in bowel habits
How often do you need a colonoscopy?
| Finding | Next Colonoscopy |
|---|---|
| Normal colonoscopy (no polyps) | Every 10 years |
| 1-2 small tubular adenomas | Every 5-10 years |
| 3-10 adenomas or advanced polyps | Every 3 years |
| More than 10 adenomas | Within 1 year |
| Family history of CRC | Starting at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative |