By: Dr. Terri Petkau

Dr. Terri Petkau, PhD is the Chief Operating Officer & Longevity Scientist at Connect Health. A Biomedical Scientist, she specializes in medical genetics, neuroscience, and age-related brain diseases. Terri earned her PhD from the University of British Columbia, where her research explored the role of genetic mutations in brain aging and potential interventions to slow cognitive decline. Beyond her research, Dr. Petkau serves as Director of Operations at Polymorphic Biosciences, leading initiatives in drug delivery, gene therapy, and personalized medicine.

​​​​​Colorectal polyps are the primary precursors to colorectal cancer (CRC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the second leading cause in Canada. While CRC is largely preventable through early detection and removal of precancerous polyps, survival rates drop significantly once the disease is established.

​​​​​​​Current screening methods, such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) used in British Columbia, detect blood in stool. While FIT is a sensitive tool, its specificity isn’t perfect—meaning a positive result does not necessarily indicate the presence of developing colon cancer. This can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures, placing strain on both patients and healthcare providers alike.

Emerging research suggests that the gut microbiome—the diverse community of bacteria within the digestive tract—plays a key role in CRC risk. Scientists are now exploring whether microbiome analysis, when used alongside standard screening, could enhance early detection and, importantly, reduce the number of unnecessary invasive procedures performed.

What’s Next?

While this approach shows promise, further research is needed before microbiome analysis can be integrated into population-wide screening programs. Advances in sequencing technology are improving our ability to profile the microbiome, and researchers are shifting their focus from identifying individual bacterial species to understanding how functional microbial communities influence disease development.

It is well established that the gut microbiome varies significantly between individuals—factors such as ethnicity, diet, and geographical location, all contribute to this diversity, even among healthy individuals. Therefore, large-scale studies that account for these variables are essential before gut microbiome screening can be used for a diverse population.

At Connect Health, we recognize the critical role of gut health in disease prevention. We strive to offer the most advanced microbiome testing available to support your long-term health and longevity. A key component of our approach is offering longitudinal microbiome testing, allowing us to track changes in your gut health over time. While your microbiome is unique to you, shifts in its composition from year to year can serve as an early indicator of potential health concerns. You only know if you test!

We are committed to staying at the forefront of these advancements, continuously monitoring emerging research and integrating the latest scientific developments into our screening practices.