Cancer Screening Tests Resuming
Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) recommends gradually resuming routine breast and cervical screening. Primary care providers can also begin sending new fecal immunochemical test (FIT) requisitions to LifeLabs for all eligible people at average risk for colorectal cancer.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions and potential delays in FIT kit mailing, people may experience delays in receiving a FIT kit. To avoid longer wait times, we ask that primary care providers do not batch fax requisitions.
Ongoing fluctuations in COVID-19 cases and local variation in COVID-19 trends are expected. Primary care providers are encouraged to consider local trends in COVID-19 transmission and local capacity for diagnostic services (e.g., colonoscopy) prior to initiating colorectal cancer screening.
Primary care providers should remember the following when sending in requisitions:
- Include a valid OHIP number with an updated version code.
- Ensure the completeness and accuracy of your patient’s mailing address information (including an alternative mailing address for the FIT kit, if applicable).
- LifeLabs will continue to process all FIT requisitions received as fast as possible. If you have recently sent a FIT requisition for your patient, please do not send a repeat order unless at least 4 to 6 weeks have passed and your patient has not already received a FIT kit, as there remains the potential for mailing delays resulting from COVID-19. Sending a duplicate requisition could cause further delays.
The gradual reintroduction of routine cancer screening tests is consistent with the Ministry of Health’s direction (see Directive #2 for Health Care Providers [May 26, 2020]) allowing for a gradual restart of deferred services. Tip sheets have been developed for healthcare providers to guide the reopening of these services, please email cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca if you would like a copy.
Questions?
- Call Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) toll-free at 1-866-662-9233
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Send us an email at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.