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Colorectal Cancer Screening Letters

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) mails letters through the ColonCancerCheck program to people ages 50 to 74 who have never been screened before and who are due for their next screening test. The letters also provide screening test results and invite people to talk to their family doctor or nurse practitioner about colorectal cancer screening.

Types of Letters

Invitation Letters

We send letters inviting people to start screening when they turn 50 years old.

Recall Letters

After a test result, we send recall letters reminding people who are at average risk to get screened again in 2 years if they qualify.

Result Notifications

After screening tests are analyzed, the lab tells your family doctor or nurse practitioner and Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) about your results. We also send you your test results by mail:

  • Normal result
    We tell you when you have a normal result and when to get screened again (even if you don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner).
  • Unsatisfactory result
    We tell you if the lab rejects your fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or if the result could not be read. In both cases, you need to do the FIT again. The letter will explain how to get another FIT kit.
  • Abnormal result
    • Participants with a doctor or nurse practitioner
      Your family doctor or nurse practitioner will tell you about your abnormal result and let you know next steps. We will also send you a letter about your abnormal result and ask you to see your doctor or nurse practitioner to talk about next steps.
    • Participants without a doctor or nurse practitioner
      We will contact you by mail and telephone to make sure you get connected with a doctor or nurse practitioner. The doctor or nurse practitioner will tell you your next steps.

For information on what an abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result means and what happens next, see the Abnormal FIT Result FAQs.

Reminder Letters

In some situations, letters are sent to remind participants about getting screened or about next steps after they get their results.

Physician-Linked Letters

Physician-linked letters are invitation and recall letters that include the name of a participant’s physician.

Privacy Notice

The privacy notice is included in the FIT kit. This notice tells you about our cancer screening programs and how your information is protected.

Samples of Letters

Invitation letter

People who are eligible for colorectal cancer screening may receive one of the following invitation letters:



Invitation Letter - Version 1


March 30, 2023

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

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

I am writing to invite you to get checked for colon (bowel) cancer. 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 Health811 by calling 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCINV0123



Invitation Letter - Version 2


March 30, 2023

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

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

I am writing to invite you to get checked for colon (bowel) cancer. 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. Finding colon cancer early also means you can be treated before you get problems like diarrhea and stomach pain, which can happen in the later stages of this disease.

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 Health811 by calling 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCINVM0123

Recall letter

March 30, 2023

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 Health811 by calling 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCRCL0123

Normal result letter

March 30, 2023

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

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for doing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to check for colon (bowel) cancer.

I am pleased to tell you that your result is normal. A copy of this result has been sent to the family doctor or nurse practitioner who ordered your test.

Congratulations on taking care of your health by getting checked with the FIT.

Regular testing with the FIT can help protect you from colon cancer. You should get checked every two years until you are age 75. Unless you ask us not to, we will send you a reminder to do the FIT again.

Sincerely,

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


BE AWARE

You should see your family doctor or nurse practitioner* if you have any of these issues, which could be caused by colon cancer:

  • Blood (bright red or very dark) in your stool (poop)
  • New and persistent diarrhea, constipation or the feeling that your bowel does not empty all the way
  • Your stools have been narrower than usual
  • New and persistent stomach discomfort
  • You are losing weight and do not know why
  • A drop in your red blood cell count (anemia) that is caused by low iron

You should also see your doctor or nurse practitioner if you find out something new about your family history of colon cancer.

*If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can get your free FIT from Health811 by calling 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCNTFNAT0123

Unsatisfactory result letter

March 30, 2023

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

PLEASE DO YOUR TEST AGAIN

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for doing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to get checked for colon (bowel) cancer. I am writing to tell you that we could not get a result from your test.

This is because <Rejection Reason/Invalid Reason>

It is very important that you do the test again. If you have colon cancer and do not get tested, you may miss out on the chance for early and more effective treatment. If colon cancer is caught early, 9 out of every 10 people with the disease can be cured.

Please contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner within the next few weeks to get a new FIT kit sent to you in the mail.

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. Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner* to ask for a FIT within the next few weeks.
  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 Health811 by calling 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCNTFUAT0123

Abnormal result letter (for a participant with a doctor)

March 30, 2023

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

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for doing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). I am writing to let you know that your test result is abnormal.

As you may remember, the FIT is a test that checks your stool (poop) for blood, which can be caused by colon (bowel) cancer. An abnormal result does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer, but it does mean that additional testing is needed.

Your family doctor or nurse practitioner may recommend that you follow up with a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon using a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end. A colonoscopy is safe and it usually takes half an hour. You can get medication to make you comfortable during the colonoscopy. For more information about colonoscopy, please visit cancercareontario.ca/FITresult.

A colonoscopy can help protect your health. If colon cancer is caught early with a colonoscopy, 9 out of every 10 people with the disease can be cured. If you have colon cancer and do not get tested, you may miss out on the chance for early and more effective treatment.

A copy of your FIT result was sent to your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you have not heard from them yet, please contact their office within the next 2 weeks to talk about your abnormal result. If you have already contacted your doctor or nurse practitioner, or had follow-up testing, please ignore this letter.

Sincerely,

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


GET THE FACTS. GET CHECKED.

  • After age 50, your risk of getting colon cancer goes up.
  • An abnormal FIT result could mean you have colon cancer even if you feel healthy.
  • An abnormal FIT result could mean you have colon cancer even if no one else in your family has had the disease.
  • Even if you have had normal results in the past, a new abnormal result means something in your colon may have changed and you need a colonoscopy to find out more.
  • Only a colonoscopy can tell you if you have colon cancer.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

  1. Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner within 2 weeks to book an appointment.
  2. Take this letter with you to the appointment.
  3. Talk about your FIT result with your doctor or nurse practitioner. They may tell you to have a colonoscopy.

If you have already contacted your doctor or nurse practitioner, or had follow-up testing, please ignore this letter.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCNTFAAT0422

Abnormal result letter (for a participant without a doctor)

March 30, 2023

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

YOUR TEST RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for doing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). I am writing to let you know that your test result is abnormal.

As you may remember, the FIT is a test that checks your stool (poop) for blood, which can be caused by colon (bowel) cancer. An abnormal result does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer, but it does mean that additional testing is needed.

It is recommended that you follow up with a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon using a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end. A colonoscopy is safe and it usually takes half an hour. You can get medication to make you comfortable during the colonoscopy. For more information about colonoscopy, please visit cancercareontario.ca/FITresult.

A colonoscopy can help protect your health. If colon cancer is caught early with a colonoscopy, 9 out of every 10 people with the disease can be cured. If you have colon cancer and do not get tested, you may miss out on the chance for early and more effective treatment.

If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, please call Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) to talk about next steps. You can reach us toll-free at 1.866.662.9233 from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please see the back of this letter for more information.

Sincerely,

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


GET THE FACTS. GET CHECKED.

  • After age 50, your risk of getting colon cancer goes up.
  • An abnormal FIT result could mean you have colon cancer even if you feel healthy.
  • An abnormal FIT result could mean you have colon cancer even if no one else in your family has had the disease.
  • Even if you have had normal results in the past, a new abnormal result means something in your colon may have changed and you need a colonoscopy to find out more.
  • Only a colonoscopy can tell you if you have colon cancer.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

Call us at 1.866.662.9233.

Protecting your personal information is important to us. To make sure we are speaking with the right person, we will need to confirm your identity. Please have the following information ready when you call:

  • Your full name
  • Your home address
  • Your date of birth
  • Your health card number

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCNTFAUN0422

Physician-linked invitation letter

March 30, 2023

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

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

I am writing on behalf of Dr. <FIRST NAME> <LAST NAME> to invite you to get checked for colon (bowel) cancer.

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

Please note: if you do not know why you got this letter, speak with your doctor.

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 Health811 by calling 811; TTY: 1.866.797.0007.

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Visit:

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

CCCINVPLC0123

Correspondence privacy notice

How your health information and privacy are protected

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is an agency of the Ministry of Health that provides the people of Ontario with cancer screening programs, including the ColonCancerCheck program. The ColonCancerCheck program helps people in Ontario get checked for colon cancer.

About the personal health information we collect

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) collects personal health information, such as test results, about people who may need to get checked for colon cancer. This information is collected from organizations and professionals, such as doctors. We keep this information in the Ontario Cancer Screening Registry. We are allowed to collect and use this information to improve healthcare in Ontario under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004. This act is Ontario’s health privacy law.

How we use personal health information

  • We send letters inviting people in Ontario to get checked for colon cancer using the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
  • We send people their FIT results.
  • We help people with abnormal FIT results get support from a family doctor or nurse practitioner if they do not have one.
  • We remind people to get checked for colon cancer again.
  • We let doctors know when their patients get checked for colon cancer and what their test results are.

To find out more about your FIT results, you can contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you do not get your results, or do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, call us at 1-866-662-9233.

How to stop getting letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)

At any time, you can ask Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) to stop sending you letters. If you ask us to stop sending you letters, you will still be able to do a FIT, except:

  • We will not invite or remind you to do a FIT.
  • If you do a FIT, we will not send you the results. You can get your results from your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
  • If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, we will only send your results to you if you ask us to.

To learn more about the Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) screening program privacy rules call 1-866-662-9233, visit cancercareontario.ca/screeningphi or 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.