Colorectal Cancer Canada is calling for the screening age to be lowered from 50 to 45 in response to the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in younger adults. Early detection saves lives—help us raise awareness and push for this urgent change.

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Colorectal Cancer Canada is calling for the screening age to be lowered from 50 to 45 in response to the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in younger adults. Early detection saves lives—help us raise awareness and push for this urgent change.

Learn More

COLORECTAL CANCER CANADA

Colorectal Cancer Canada is the nation’s non-profit colorectal cancer patient organization. We are dedicated to colorectal cancer awareness and education, supporting patients and caregivers, and advocating on their behalf. Our goal is to reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in Canada and to improve the quality of life for patients, their families and caregivers.

Learn more about Colorectal Cancer Canada

What is colorectal cancer?

The colon and rectum make up the last part of the gastrointestinal (digestive) system. Colorectal cancer is cancer that affects either the colon or rectum, or both. It may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer originates.

Learn more about colorectal cancer

72

Canadians diagnosed every day

4th

Most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada in 2025

90%

Curable when
diagnosed at early stages

John Vennavally-Rao

Iris Karry

I’m living proof that a colonoscopy is more than just an awkward day with a camera—it can save your life. In September 2024, I had zero symptoms when I walked into a screening clinic. My wife and friends had been urging me to get that appointment ever since I’d turned...

Melissa Groff

Iris Karry

As a young wife and mother of 3, Melissa faced unique challenges as she navigated her CRC diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Anne Perry

Iris Karry

Meet Anne Perry, founder of "Test for Toby." As a caregiver to her husband during his battle with colorectal cancer, Anne turned her experiences into a mission for early detection and support and became an inspirational force behind the Shelburne, Ontario edition of Push For Your Tush. In this video,...

Romana Rogoshewska

Iris Karry

Montreal, 2019, Christmas Eve, 11 pm: I got a call from the hospital where my mother was dying of heart failure. I, her only child, told to come soon. Rushed, I slipped on the ice in the parking lot. Bad fall, hobbled to ER thinking I suffered a fracture. The...

Elwood Johnston

Iris Karry

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2020. It was a fluke that I was diagnosed when I was 75 and the surgeon at Arnprior Hospital told me I did not require a colonoscopy or poop test. Fortunately when the new FIT came in they automatically sent me...

Kama M.

Iris Karry

Kama is a devoted single mom to AJ, 11 years old. Since 2005, she’s taught at Alberni District Secondary School, Eighth Avenue Learning Centre, South Surrey/ White Rock Learning Centre and John Howitt Elementary School. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking and sharing her favourite local restaurants, social...

Sandro Zambonin

Iris Karry

Back in 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer, I was 54 at the time. I had always showed signs of blood after going to the bathroom since my college days and back then I was told that the blood was due to a rectal fissure. This was...

Shane’s story

Colorectalcc

I was diagnosed in April 2022 with stage 3c rectal cancer at 34 with no family history and only some minor symptoms. At first, I attempted to deal with the symptoms myself, assuming I had hemorrhoids, and put off seeing my doctor out of embarrassment. I never thought for a...

Lisa’s story

Colorectalcc

If you’re here reading this, you probably already have your diagnosis. Maybe you’re at the beginning, maybe you have finished your treatment or maybe you’re just moving through the uncertain process. That’s where I am. A woman diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in the spring of 2022 at age...

Rada’s Story

Colorectalcc

Awareness is the best medicine I remember many things from my battle with colorectal cancer, but one thing that stands out is people looking at me with pity, asking how I recognized the signs. The day before my diagnosis, I would have looked at someone the same way and asked...

WHO WE HELP

IN TREATMENT

FAMILY MEMBER & CAREGIVER

AFTER TREATMENT

COLORECTAL CANCER
SYMPTOMS

Become familiar with common colorectal cancer symptoms, such as unexplained changes to bowel habits, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain and discomfort. If you notice any, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible. When caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable.

Learn more about colorectal cancer symptoms

COLORECTAL CANCER SYMPTOMS

Become familiar with common colorectal cancer symptoms. If you notice any symptoms, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible. When caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable.

Learn more about colorectal cancer symptoms

COLORECTAL CANCER
TREATMENT

The type (colon and/or rectal), location, stage of your cancer, the biomarkers expressed in your tumour and your general health will determine which colorectal cancer treatment is best for you. Understand your options and make informed decisions about your treatment.

Learn more about colorectal cancer treatment

COLORECTAL CANCER
TREATMENT

The type (colon and/or rectal), location, stage of your cancer, the biomarkers expressed in your tumour and your general health will determine which colorectal cancer treatment is best for you. Understand your options and make informed decisions about your treatment.

Learn more about colorectal cancer treatment

COLORECTAL CANCER
RISK FACTORS

Find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Knowing your risk factors and discussing them with your doctor can help you make more informed health care choices, such as participating in screening at an earlier age if necessary.

Learn more about colorectal cancer risk factors

COLORECTAL CANCER
RISK FACTORS

Find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Knowing your risk factors and discussing them with your doctor can help you make more informed health care choices, such as participating in screening at an earlier age if necessary.

Learn more about colorectal cancer risk factors

SCREENING AND
PREVENTION

Keeping up to date with colorectal cancer screening is an important part of prevention. A screening test checks for colorectal cancer when there are no signs and symptoms of the disease. Participating in screening helps to remove precancerous polyps and detect colorectal cancer at an earlier stage when it is more treatable.

Learn more about colorectal cancer screening

SCREENING AND
PREVENTION

Keeping up to date with colorectal cancer screening is an important part of prevention. A screening test checks for colorectal cancer when there are no signs and symptoms of the disease. Participating in screening helps to remove precancerous polyps and detect colorectal cancer at an earlier stage when it is more treatable.

Learn more about colorectal cancer screening

NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH
COLORECTAL CANCER?

We’ve been there, and we are here to help you every step of the way. It is important to begin by gathering the resources you need to be your best advocate. There have been many new advances in colorectal cancer patient care – we want you to be aware of the latest information.

Learn more about colorectal cancer diagnosis

NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH
COLORECTAL CANCER?

We’ve been there, and we are here to help you every step of the way. It is important to begin by gathering the resources you need to be your best advocate. There have been many new advances in colorectal cancer patient care – we want you to be aware of the latest information.

Learn more about colorectal cancer diagnosis