During a media conference at Moose Jaw Union Hospital on Monday, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency announced it is moving forward with a screening program for colorectal cancer in the health region.
The agency will use an advanced fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to screen participants. The test, mailed to those with in the specified age group, consists of a small container used to collect fecal samples.
Once participants collect the sample, it is then sent back to the health region where professionals can detect stool blood not visible to the naked eye.
“There is a lot of scientific evidence that it is the best test and that it is a simple test." - Fauzi Ramadan
Dr. Fauzi Ramadan, Five Hills Health Region senior medical officer, told the Times-Herald literally thousands of people in the Moose Jaw-area will receive the test, which is being offered for the first time in Saskatchewan and is proven to greatly increase the chances of early colorectal cancer detection.
“There is a lot of scientific evidence that it is the best test and that it is a simple test,” he said, adding FIT should prove a great preventative tool for Five Hills.
