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ColonCancerCheck Recall Letter

March 30, 2022

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

Dear Jane Sample:

I am writing to let you know that it is time to get checked for colon (bowel) cancer again.

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in Ontario. After age 50, your risk of getting this disease goes up. The good news is that you can help protect your health by doing an easy test called the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

The FIT is a safe and painless test that checks your stool (poop) for tiny drops of blood, which can be caused by colon cancer. You can do the test in the comfort and privacy of your own home, and it only takes a few minutes. Please see the back of this letter to find out how to get checked with the FIT.

If colon cancer is caught early, 9 out of every 10 people with the disease can be cured. In its later stages, colon cancer can be treated, but beating it is less likely. If you do not get tested, you may miss out on the chance for early and more effective treatment.

Your health matters. Get checked today.

“Doing the FIT was easy and I knew within a few weeks that my result was normal. I am thankful for the peace of mind!” -Jamie S., Thunder Bay

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health


GET THE FACTS. GET CHECKED.

  • Without getting checked, you could have colon cancer and not know it.
  • Regular testing with the FIT is a good way to find colon cancer early.
  • If you are age 50 or older, you should do the FIT every 2 years.
  • You should get checked for colon cancer even if no one in your family has had the disease.
  • If your parent, brother, sister or child has had colon cancer, you should speak to your family doctor or nurse practitioner because you may need a different test called a colonoscopy.

HOW TO GET CHECKED WITH THE FIT

  1. Visit your family doctor or nurse practitioner to ask for a FIT.*
  2. You will get your free FIT in the mail.
  3. Complete your FIT. The test comes with simple instructions.
  4. Return your completed FIT by following the instructions. Expect test results in the next few weeks.

*If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can get your free FIT from Telehealth Ontario by calling 1.866.828.9213; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit: ontario.ca/coloncancercheck or cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters

Your privacy matters: Visit cancercareontario.ca/screeningphi

Call toll-free: 1.866.662.9233 from Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Email: cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca

To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the form at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. You may change your mind at any time.


Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538  /  TTY 1.800.855.0511  |  info@ontariohealth.ca

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