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Patient Education Centre

We believe that staying informed is the best way to maintain good health. The following pages give you the information you need to manage your own care and prevent colorectal cancer.
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Colon Cancer Prevention

Make healthier choices and take some relatively simple steps to maintain or improve your overall health and reduce your chances of colorectal cancer.
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Get Moving

Make healthier choices and take some relatively simple steps to maintain or improve your overall health and reduce your chances of colorectal cancer.

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Kick The Habit

Butting out your cigarettes will not only help protect you from getting colorectal cancer, your lungs will thank you as well.

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Take Your Vitamins

Recent research has found that taking calcium and folic acid supplements daily over a long period of time may reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer.

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Watch your weight

Obesity is thought to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly in women

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Drink Moderately

Reducing alcohol intake can lessen your chance of getting colorectal cancer.

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Beginning at age 50

Make colorectal cancer screening a part of your routine health checks.

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Know Your Family History

If a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) had colorectal cancer you are at increased risk. Talk to your doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer when you are 10 years younger than your relative was at the disease onset.

Colorectal Cancer: Are You At Risk?

There is no single cause for developing colorectal cancer, but some people are considered to be at higher risk than the general population for colorectal cancer, including:
  • People with a family history of colorectal cancer. If you have a first degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with colorectal cancer, you should get tested 10 years before his/her age of diagnosis. For instance, if he/she was diagnosed at 48, you should be tested when you are 38 years old.
  • People who have already been diagnosed with polyps or early stage colorectal cancer.
  • People who have inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).
  • People with a family history of inherited breast cancer, uterine or ovarian cancer
  • Middle-aged people, 50 years and over.
The possibility of a diagnosis of advanced colorectal cancer in patients in their 40s is not uncommon and colorectal cancer has been seen in patients in their 20s.

If You Are Concerned, Get Screened Today!

If you are at higher risk, you should talk to your doctor about being screened as soon as possible or call Canadian Place Endoscopy directly for an appointment.
Request an Appointment

CALL NOW 416-626-2100

Most Common Signs Of Colorectal Cancer

While the following signs are not unique to colorectal cancer and do not mean you have it, they may be cause for concern:
  • Blood in the stool (either bright red or very dark in color)
  • A persistent change in normal bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or both, for no apparent reason
  • Frequent or constant cramps if they last for more than a few days
  • Stools that are narrower than usual
  • General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness and/or cramps)
  • Frequent gas pains
  • A strong and continuing need to move your bowels, but with little stool
  • A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
  • Weight loss for no known reason
  • Constant tiredness
If you have not had a colonoscopy in the past ten years and notice any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor and make an appointment to have a screening today.
Request an Appointment

CALL NOW 416-626-2100

Note that many people diagnosed with colorectal cancer never had any symptoms or early warning signs. Only a colonoscopy can give you the assurance that you are free of the disease.

Valuable Resources and Links

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Colon Cancer Check

Cancer screening helps see what you can’t. Use this website to learn about colorectal cancer and the ColonCancerCheck screening program.

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Cancer Quality Council of Ontario

The Cancer Quality Council of Ontario (CQCO) is an advisory group that guides Cancer Care Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in their efforts to improve the quality of cancer care in the province.

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Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.

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The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

Founded in 1962 to promote the study of the digestive tract in health and disease. The Association is built on broad principles and includes individuals of different disciplines (physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, radiologists, basic scientists).