MONTREAL — Quebec is the only Canadian province without a dedicated colorectal cancer screening program, and health organizations are urging the provincial government to implement one. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in Canada, making early detection crucial for improving outcomes.
On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Cancer Colorectal Canada, the Quebec Cancer Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society issued a joint statement reminding the government of a unanimous motion passed by the National Assembly nearly three years ago. The motion called for the implementation of the Quebec Colorectal Cancer Screening Program by the end of the current Coalition Avenir Québec government’s mandate.
The proposed program would offer screenings to individuals aged 50 to 74 through systematic invitations, similar to existing programs for breast cancer. Currently, the responsibility for getting screened – specifically, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) – falls on individuals themselves. According to Barry D. Stein, CEO of Cancer Colorectal Canada, approximately 40% of the eligible population currently participates in screening, while the goal is to reach 60%.
Stein expressed frustration with the ongoing delay. “The program has been announced, it’s just that we haven’t implemented the program as such, and every year that I request, there’s another excuse,” he said. “Generally, it’s the issue of IT that we’ve been waiting for for 15 years. But that’s not an excuse, and frankly, we, with the Quebec Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, have said enough is enough.”
“It’s remarkably frustrating,” Stein added. “All politicians admit that we need a program, but for one reason or another, which is not explained, we do not have a program and we are the last province in Canada, even the other territories have launched their program. How can all the other provinces do it and Quebec is not capable of doing it? It’s impossible to understand and the money is there.”
Rising Incidence in Younger Adults
Recent data indicates that approximately 7,300 Quebec residents will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, with nearly 2,350 resulting in death. Across Canada, 26,400 people are expected to receive a diagnosis, with 50% being of working age. These statistics highlight the significant public health impact of colorectal cancer and the need for improved prevention and early detection efforts.
Early detection significantly improves survival rates. When colorectal cancer is detected at stage 1, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%. However, this rate drops dramatically as the disease progresses. The five-year net survival rate for stage 4 colorectal cancer is only 11%, meaning only 11% of those diagnosed at this advanced stage will live for at least five years.
A concerning trend is the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in individuals under the age of 50. Some countries, including the United States, have already lowered the recommended screening age to 45 in response to this trend. The U.S. Lowered the screening age in 2021.
“This was a trend that started a few years ago now,” Stein explained, “and we’ve seen that there are more and more people diagnosed under 50. Even if we launched a campaign to start screenings at 45, there are many people who are diagnosed who are under 45 in Canada.”
Canadians born after 1980 are now two to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed before the age of 50 compared to previous generations. In the United States, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men and women under 50.
“We have a population that is perhaps a little different, but it’s coming here soon, if it hasn’t already,” Stein warned. In addition to family history, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in red meat and low in fiber are significant risk factors for colorectal cancer.
The three organizations are urging the Quebec government to commission the Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS) to study the feasibility of lowering the screening age to 45 within the province.
—
Health coverage from The Canadian Press is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.
