Nova Scotia Colon Cancer Screening Program Expands Access for People Without Fixed Addresses in Halifax

Nova Scotia's colon cancer screening program, which sends tests by mail, was previously available only to people with fixed addresses. In February, Mobile Outreach Street Health in Halifax implemented a process to receive and return tests for individuals without fixed addresses. The program aims to detect early-stage colon cancer in Nova Scotians aged 50 to 75.

Tests are automatically mailed to eligible individuals with health cards every two years. People without fixed addresses could not previously participate due to the mailing requirement. Clinics, including walk-in settings, do not stock the tests, and the program does not provide them for on-site use.

Trish McKay, a nurse and patient care co-ordinator at Mobile Outreach Street Health, stated that the organization requested a supply of testing kits from Nova Scotia Health but was denied. Nova Scotia Health explained that the request was not possible to maintain tracking of kits, their distribution, and timely follow-up on results. Nova Scotia Health did not provide a statement when contacted.

Under the new process, patients without fixed addresses can request a test, which is sent to Mobile Outreach Street Health. The organization assists with completion and mails it back. This workaround applies only in Halifax and does not extend to other parts of the province.

Limited Provincial Reach Sharon MacKenzie, a nurse at the Ally Centre in Sydney, described the Halifax solution as a positive development but noted its limitation to that area.

She said the Ally Centre would like to have testing kits available to provide services directly. MacKenzie stated that broader health-care access issues affect unhoused people, including barriers to medical practitioners needed for screening programs. MacKenzie suggested that Nova Scotia Health expand the program's access.

The lack of kits in clinics outside Halifax means people in other regions cannot easily participate. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in delivering preventive health services to unhoused individuals across the province.

Personal Experiences with Access Barriers Jessica Jarl, who lives in a Halifax shelter, described difficulties accessing health care after surgeries and addiction led to her homelessness.

She was diagnosed with a chronic illness and reported being refused emergency room care due to her appearance and shelter residence. Jarl stated that these barriers, combined with health issues related to homelessness, make her feel unsupported by the system.

The colon cancer screening program's expansion in Halifax addresses one gap, but health workers and individuals emphasize the need for province-wide solutions.

Preventive testing remains unavailable in walk-in clinics, and tracking requirements limit kit distribution. Future steps may involve Nova Scotia Health reviewing options to broaden access.