Eligibility

Inclusion criteria:

• age 50 – 74 Positive FIT test or personal history of cancer / polyps, or family history of cancer / polyps in first degree relative, or
• 10 years younger than youngest first degree relative diagnosed relative with colorectal cancer

Exclusion criteria:

- BMI > 45

- patients with significant co-morbidities including, but not limited to:

• type 1 diabetes
• on Coumadin or other anticoagulation for reasons other than atrial fibrillation that cannot come off of Coumadin for 5 days prior to colonoscopy
• surgical intervention within past 3 - 6months (depending on the type)
• myocardial infarction within past 12 months
• currently being investigated for other medical issues and diagnosis has not been confirmed

Healthcare providers should consult the Alberta Referral Directory for service referral information.

Family Physician referral is required followed by patient response to invitation to mandatory patient education.

An estimated wait time will be provided at the time of appointment booking.

Once family physician makes the referral:

• it will take approximately 2 months for priority patients to receive their information package with the link to view the on-line education video. In-person education is offered if required
• colonoscopy appointments for priority patients are currently scheduled within 1 - 3 months after viewing the video or attending the in-person education
• all other patients will be reviewed and receive their information packages in 6 - 12 months, and booked for their appointment after viewing the video and reviewing the information package

FIT+ patients remain the priority as well as those patients with a recommendation of a repeat procedure at 1 year or shorter.

No fee is required for the colonoscopy procedure, however patients must purchase a bowel laxative solution to take prior to the colonoscopy appointment (average cost is $25 - $40).

Patients may ask their family physicians to provide a prescription for the bowel prep solution. Note that not all insurance companies cover bowel prep within their drug plans.