← Back to Patient Resources

Ontario cancer screening

Colorectal Screening

A clear guide to FIT eligibility, completing the home test and when symptoms need assessment instead.

FIT is for people without concerning bowel symptoms

Contact the clinic instead for visible blood in the stool, black stool, persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, ongoing abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss.

Routine colorectal screening

Average risk, ages 45–74

Ontario generally recommends the take-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years for average-risk adults in this age group.

What FIT does

FIT checks a small stool sample for tiny amounts of blood that are not visible. The kit can be completed privately at home.

Colonoscopy is not the usual first test

For an average-risk person without symptoms, colonoscopy is generally not the first routine screening test.

Some people need a different pathway

A strong family history, previous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, symptoms or certain genetic conditions may change the recommended test.

How to obtain and complete FIT

Request the kit

Contact Health Haven if you believe you are due. The clinic confirms eligibility and arranges the FIT order.

Contact the clinic →

Follow the kit instructions

Label the sample correctly, record the collection date and return it using the instructions supplied with the kit.

If FIT is abnormal

An abnormal FIT does not mean cancer, but it requires timely follow-up—usually colonoscopy—to determine the cause.

Official Ontario guidance

Review eligibility, testing and follow-up through Ontario’s colorectal screening program.

Ontario colorectal screening ↗
Do not use FIT to investigate new symptoms. Contact the clinic for a medical assessment if you have bleeding, persistent bowel changes, iron-deficiency anemia, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss.
0
Skip to Content
Health Haven
Patient Resources
Fees
Home
Online Booking
Team
Labs & Imaging
Screening
Contact Us
Health Haven
Patient Resources
Fees
Home
Online Booking
Team
Labs & Imaging
Screening
Contact Us
Patient Resources
Fees
Home
Online Booking
Team
Labs & Imaging
Screening
Contact Us

Health Haven

9-3780 Fallowfield Rd
Ottawa, ON
K2J 1A1

healthhavenottawa@gmail.com

T: 613 820 3694
F: 613 820 3695