In Manitoba the general screening age for colorectal cancer is age 50 with a FIT test for asymptomatic people and a colonoscopy for those with symptoms. If there is a parental history of Colorectal Cancer before age 60 colonoscopy screening is recommended starting at age 40.

By the time symptoms are detected, Colorectal Cancer is probable and in Manitoba with a lack of family doctors, limited access to primary care in rural areas... too many go without regular proactive medical care until symptoms not only occur but are severe. Colon cancer is slow growing...  polyps and tumors detected after 50 are most likely growing prior and can be detected and removed before cancer can develop and spread.

Reducing screening age from 50 to 40 will save lives, save money.

I'm asking for your help. Sign this petition and ask the Manitoba provincial government to reduce the screening age and proactively protect Manitobans.

My story: "On August 1 2024, I went in for a routine colonoscopy due to ongoing digestive issues, issues I'd dismissed as no big deal, for months. My doctor was also running blood tests to check for some other issues that may be due to an intolerance to gluten and dairy brought on by perimenopause. No big deal. Right?

Right before that colonoscopy I found out that at age 49 I should have been getting the test as a preemptive cancer scan at least every two years since I was 40 because my mom had colon cancer at 52. Not only did I not know, last December I specifically asked about it at my physical and was told screening would start at 50 because I had no symptoms. My doctor was wrong. Symptoms started three months later. 

At the end of that August 1 colonoscopy we were told that I had a large rectal tumor that they biopsied that was probably cancerous. There was a chance it wasn't and in that best case surgery would be neccessary to remove it, worst case... it was cancer and it had already spread. 

It was two weeks before we got the results and while we were hoping for the best we were prepared for the worst. It was neither... cancer yes. Spread? No. Stage 3. I was relieved. 

This diagnosis starts a new chapter in my life, in my family's life, we will get through it, we will persevere. Together. But it all could have been avoided.

With early screening, early detection.

If you have a family history of cancer, please check the screening protocols and advocate for yourself. I didn't even think to check, I trusted my Doctor to tell me but they are human and I'm but one patient. I missed at least 5 screening colonoscopies in the past 10 years. My cancer could have been caught and routinely removed before it put my life at risk. Yet here I am.

Even if you don't have a family history, don't ignore any symptoms, don't dismiss changes in your body. Don't let embarrassment or impatience with our system deter you from making an appointment. It could save your life."

Michelle Budiwski