This is such an important change in policy! And yes, it is alarming that so many young people are being diagnosed with colorectal, or any type of cancer. My own cancer mentor, Robin McGee, who was briefly a member of VO (although she posted infrequently) began having symptoms in her late 40s, and had family history of colorectal cancer, but was denied a colonoscopy because she wasn’t yet 50. By the time her cancer was diagnosed, it was stage 4, and she died almost 2 years ago. She worked hard to make changes that better served patients in her own province of Nova Scotia, and also across Canada. I know she would be very pleased with this announcement.

I am using Robin’s name because she wrote a book about her horrific experience and the groundswell of support she mustered to bring about change in the treatment of colorectal cancer in Nova Scotia. If anyone is interested in reading it (it won several awards), it’s called The Cancer Olympics. You might find it in your local library. Here’s a link:

https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000012116139/Robin-McGee-The-Cancer-Olympics

Laurie