Dr. McAlister’s five colorectal cancer awareness and prevention tips

Dr. Ted McAlister, MD, FRCSC is a Surgical Oncologist at William Osler Health System (Osler). He graduated from Queen’s University Medical School in Kingston and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. McAlister also completed a Fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the University of Toronto.

Each year, more than 24,000 Canadians are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, accounting for 10 per cent of all new cancer cases.¹ William Osler Health System’s Dr. McAlister shares his health tips for colorectal cancer awareness and prevention:

Regular screening

Screening is important to help identify colorectal cancer before you have symptoms. If you are not at high risk for colon cancer, you should undergo screening with a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years beginning at age 50 and continuing to age 74. Anyone over the age of 75 should talk to their doctor about whether a stool test is right for them.²

Know your family history of colorectal cancer

It is important to know your family’s history with colorectal cancer. If you have a sibling or parent with colorectal cancer, you are at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer.³ Regular colonoscopy screening at age 50, or 10 years younger than the sibling or parent at their time of diagnosis, is recommended.

Don’t ignore the symptoms

Symptoms such as bleeding (blood in your stool), change in bowel habit or frequency, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss could all be signs of colorectal cancer.⁴ Colorectal cancer is also becoming more common in young adults 30 to 49 years of age. Regardless of your age, if you experience any of these symptoms, please see your doctor or primary care practitioner to discuss scheduling a colonoscopy.

Choose a healthy lifestyle

Studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle, sugary drinks, and an unhealthy diet are thought to be important contributing factors in colorectal cancer increasing in younger adults.⁵ Regular physical activity and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate daily activity such as walking or simply doing household chores.

Quit smoking and vaping

Smoking tobacco, vaping and other tobacco products increases the risk of colorectal cancer, along with many other health conditions and diseases. Speak with your doctor or primary care practitioner to get help quitting.⁶

1. Canadian Cancer Society: Colorectal cancer statistics 
2. Canadian Cancer Society: Screening for colorectal cancer
3. Canadian Cancer Society: Family history of colorectal cancer
4. Colorectal Cancer Canada: What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
5. Cancer Care Ontario: Colorectal cancer increasing in younger adults
6. Canadian Cancer Society: Reducing your risk for colorectal cancer