The Grey-Bruce Ontario Health Team is encouraging people in Hanover, Ontario, to focus on their health by getting screened for colorectal cancer throughout March 2026. The local health organization has designated this month Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to help residents recognize symptoms and feel more comfortable talking to their doctors about bowel health.
According to Cancer Care Ontario, current provincial guidelines suggest that people between the ages of 50 and 74 should take a simple home stool test every two years. This test is intended for people who do not have symptoms and is used to find early signs of cancer when it is most treatable.
While the provincial standard currently starts at age 50, the Canadian Cancer Society is now recommending that routine screening should begin earlier at age 45. Local health officials say that screening saves lives and are asking residents to check with their family doctors about their specific risk factors and screening options.
Colorectal cancer remains a major health concern in the region, but it is often preventable or treatable if it is caught in the early stages. Residents can access community resources and talk to their local healthcare providers to determine which screening plan is right for them.
