An interesting discovery on FIT...
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 northern territories. 12/13 have implemented the FIT screening test for their citizens; Manitoba employs a slightly different test called FTg (fecal test guaiac). With the exception of Manitoba and British Columbia, the FIT tests in Canada are supplied by 2 major manufacturers: Alfresa Pharma and Polymedco. (2016-2017)
Most types of cancer, including colorectal, have 4 stages, numbered 1 through 4, with stages 1 and 2 generally having the best survival rates. The following data are taken from: www.canadianpartnershipagainstcancer.ca but dates unfortunately from 2016-2017. Will try and find more recent, if available!
Province: Stages 1 & 2 Stages 3 & 4
Alberta 57% 43%
Saskatch 61% 39%
Manitoba 65% 35%
Ontario 56% 44%
New Brunsw 60% 40%
Nova Scotia 66% 34%
Prince E I 63% 38%
Newfdl + Lab 71% 29%
Remember: Stages 1 and 2 are generally better than 3 and 4: so the higher the percentage in Stages 1 and 2, the "better"! Data from BC, Quebec and from the 3 Territories were not included. So it got me wondering about what is happening in BC and about the Beckman Coulter Test used in Manitoba? (worth digging into) Notice that in the maritime provinces the cancer tends to get "caught" more at the earlier stages. Notice the 10% difference between our province SK and NFL. Population wise this could be a significant difference! Why the difference, you ask? Maybe because: Most provinces and territories require ONE sample collection for the FIT, with the exception of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador which require TWO!! This may not be the only reason for the difference of course but I think it deserves mentioning! Or perhaps we can attribute it to Newfoundland's famous screech? 😉 What do You think?
Back in a day or 2 and on a "lighter note"!😊
Pretty interesting compilation of data! Thought provoking questions. Good job!
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