Colorectal Cancer Diagnostic Assessment Program
Our Colorectal Cancer Diagnostic Assessment Program (CRC-DAP) offers your patients easy and timely access to quality care.
This centralized program creates a single point of entry into the cancer journey at diagnosis, improving access to cancer care, including expedited colonoscopy for patients whose physicians suspect colorectal cancer.
Who do we serve?
- Patients who have biopsy-proven, primary colon or rectal cancer
- Patients whose physicians suspect colorectal cancer, prior to or following a colonoscopy
- Patients who have had a FIT+ test
How we support you
Improved communication with one point of contact
Our dedicated patient navigator will:
- provide timely access to staging diagnostic tests
- coordinate care
- prepare patients for surgical consults
- provide patients with referrals as necessary
- provide reliable education material and support
- improve the cancer journey for patient
How to make a referral
» Refer a patient using our e-referral option
» Download a print referral form (PDF) and fax to 416-480-7818
» Download a FIT+ expedited colonoscopy referral form (PDF) and fax it to 416-480-7818*
*For accessible referral, please use e-referral form above
Please note:
- Pathology, when made available, should be discussed by the referring physician with the patient. The navigator does not discuss pathology results.
- Staging imaging will be coordinated by the patient navigator, and at the site at which the surgeon is located.
- Provide Creatinine results, if available, for patients over 60 years of age.
- Immediately after patients register with our CRC-DAP, they will receive a new patient package. This package includes patient education materials and an online resource.
- The patient navigator will be available to patients after the referral is received, and will offer patients support and navigation.
- Primary care providers have direct access to the patient navigator.
- The patient will be notified of their appointment with the surgeon, by the patient navigator, and with a notification of the referring physician's office if requested.
Frequently asked questions
Diagnostic Assessment Programs (DAP) are evidence-based programs to:
- improve the coordination of care
- reduce wait times and help minimize disease progression
- improve the patient experience.
DAP standards and practice are set by Cancer Care Ontario and are based on many improvement strategies provided by primary care providers.
2. What is the role of Diagnostic Assessment Programs?From referral to first treatment, DAPs ensure:
- patient-centred care
- a coordinated, streamlined, referral and follow-up system
- setting and monitoring of quality indicators for continuous improvement.
DAPs provide:
- a central access system
- access to care coordination and patient navigation
- access to multidisciplinary expertise
- comprehensive, coordinated diagnostic services with capacity for timely diagnosis.
