What percentage increase for colonoscopies is projected for each year during the five year rollout and beyond?
In 2005/06, the province provided about 300,000 colonoscopies. In Ontario, colonoscopy volumes have been growing at an average rate of 12%-13% per year since 1997/98 (excluding 2003/04 which was affected by SARS). This is greater than the population growth rate. The number of colonoscopies identified by the colorectal cancer screening program is a function of the population aged 50-74 and the rate of growth from this program is expected to be lower than the 12%-13% currently being observed.
