N.S. university students propose revamped colon cancer screening kits

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One of Nova Scotia's cancer screening strategies may be getting revamped thanks to students at NSCAD University in Halifax.

Nova Scotia's colorectal cancer screening program sends kits to all Nova Scotians aged 50 to 74 every two years. It is aimed at early detection and prevention. The strategy has inspired copies both nationally and internationally since it was launched 15 years ago.

About 40 per cent of people who receive the tests, use them and return them with a fecal sample.

Health officials say those numbers suggest a strong showing, but John deWolf at NSCAD said better design could boost the numbers and make collecting a sample easier for users.