March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance of screening, early detection and high-quality colonoscopy care.

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and the third most common cause of cancer death for women in Canada.

Although colorectal cancer rates are declining in older Canadians, the disease is being seen more often in younger adults. According to Colorectal Cancer Canada, the average 45-year-old today has a similar colorectal cancer risk to a 50-year-old in 1979.

To improve detection of precancerous lesions and support earlier intervention, Fraser Health has implemented GI Genius, an artificial intelligence-supported tool that assists endoscopy teams during colonoscopy by highlighting polyps in real time.

“We’re using this technology to support better detection, more consistent quality, and smarter decision-making during colonoscopy,” says Dr. Scott Cowie, surgeon at Langley Memorial Hospital, who helped lead the regional implementation of the system.