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ColonCancerCheck Abnormal Result Letter (Participant Without a Doctor)

March 30, 2022

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: 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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