In follow up to the communication sent on June 30, 2020 that shared COVID-19 Tip Sheet #15: Guidance for primary care providers resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening, this message is to communicate next steps for the gradual resumption of colorectal cancer screening.

 

As of August 25, 2020, LifeLabs will start accepting new fecal immunochemical test (FIT) requisitions for groups at higher risk of colorectal cancer:

 

• Average risk people over age 60 who have never been screened for colorectal cancer

• Average risk people with previous unsatisfactory FIT results

• Eligible average risk people awaiting organ transplant

 

LifeLabs will continue to send out a limited number of FIT kits per day to allow for a gradual resumption of services across the healthcare system. As such, primary care providers can begin sending in new FIT requisitions when seeing patients in one of the higher risk groups identified above. To ensure a coordinated resumption of services, we strongly encourage Regional Cancer Programs, primary care providers and endoscopists to work together to ensure appropriate follow-up of patients with abnormal FIT results.

 

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is recommending that routine breast and cervical screening tests be resumed in a gradual manner. For reference, a summary of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)’s guidance for resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening is attached. Detailed tip sheets have been developed for healthcare providers to guide the resumption of these services, please email cancerscreening@ontariohealth.ca if you would like a copy.