uOttawa News

OTTAWA, February 26, 2015  —  Adults in Ontario with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) such as autism and Down syndrome are significantly less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer than the general population, according to new research published in PLOS ONE.

In the first study of its kind, researchers showed that only 32% of Ontarians with IDD were up-to-date with colorectal tests (including one of the following: fecal occult blood test in the previous two years, sigmoidoscopy in the previous five years or colonoscopy in the previous 10 years) compared with 47.2% of Ontarians without IDD.

“As the lifespan of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities increases, the risk of this population developing chronic conditions like cancer increases. Suboptimal screening may contribute to a greater cancer burden in these individuals,” says Hélène Ouellette-Kuntz, lead author of the study as well as a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University and a scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).

The cohort study examined colorectal cancer screening uptake among Ontario residents aged 50 to 64 as of March 31, 2010, with and without IDD. The study found that the factors significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having been screened for colorectal cancer in the IDD population include being older, being female, having a greater expected use of health care resources and being enrolled with or seeing a physician in a primary care patient enrollment model.

“In a previous study, we showed even greater disparities for breast and cervical cancer screening between women living in Ontario without IDD and those with IDD. Our current research findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions aimed at making cancer screening more equitable,” says Professor Virginie Cobigo of the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and a scientist at ICES.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in Canada and the second and third leading cause of cancer deaths among Canadian men and women, respectively. In 2008, Ontario launched Canada’s first population-based colorectal cancer screening program. The program’s goals are to increase the capacity of primary care providers to participate in organized colorectal cancer screening and to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer.

The University of Ottawa: A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to almost 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and disciplines, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe.

About ICES
ICES is an independent, non-profit organization that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of health care issues. Our unbiased evidence provides measures of health system performance, a clearer understanding of the shifting health care needs of Ontarians and a stimulus for discussion of practical solutions to optimize scarce resources. ICES knowledge is highly regarded in Canada and abroad and is widely used by government, hospitals, planners and practitioners to make decisions about care delivery and to develop policy.

About Queen’s University
Queen’s distinguishes itself as one of the leading research-intensive institutions in Canada. Our mission is to advance research excellence, leadership and innovation as well as enhance Queen’s impact at a national and international level. Through undertaking leading-edge research, Queen’s is addressing many of the world’s greatest challenges and developing innovative ideas and technological advances brought about by discoveries in science, engineering and health. 

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Kina Leclair
Media Relations Officer
Office: 613-562-5800 (2529)
Cell.: 613-762-2908
kleclair@uOttawa.ca

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