The month of March is each year, the month chosen for awareness raising on colorectal cancer screening for men and women between 50 and 74 years old
Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer after lung cancer, and the third most common cancer. But cancer can be treated before it is even declared, at the stage of precancerous polyps. Yes, but all this is useless if we don’t get tested! However, only 32.1% of the population responds to letters and numerous reminders inviting to test their stools. To raise awareness among the French, the month of “blue march” will put colorectal cancer screening at the heart of the debate.
Break the taboo
“It is imperative to talk about this device, that we play down this screening! “, Says Émeline Lavialle, nurse at
New Aquitaine regional cancer screening coordination center (CRCDC). When people think of a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, the public thinks of a colonoscopy, and very often prefers to make an ostrich, a serious mistake when you know that a simple stool examination can reveal precancerous lesions. “Colonoscopy is the next step, it is only prescribed in the case of a positive test, but only 4% of cases are,” explains the screening referent.
How’s it going ?
Screening concerns men and women between 50 and 74 years old. “They can collect a kit from the pharmacy, which they send back to the laboratory for stool analysis,” explains Émeline Lavialle. This test is to be repeated every two years. The test and shipment are covered 100% by health insurance, so there is no reason to opt out. “Above all, you should not wait for visible signs such as blood in the stool,” warns the nurse. The earlier the cancer is treated, the more likely it is to be cured. “Rapid detection allows healing in 9 out of 10 cases,” she adds. So make way for awareness.
Pink October and Blue March
“Everyone knows Pink October, but Blue March is much less known to the public,” laments Émeline Lavialle. In France, participation does not exceed 35%, in the Netherlands, it is almost double. 71.3% of Dutch people are tested.
So the regional center for the coordination of cancer screenings is going to do everything to break the taboo of colorectal cancer. On March 17, the Esquirol Saint-Hilaire clinic will host the “colon tour 2020”, a playful experience set up by the National Cancer League which allows you to “visit the interior of the intestine”. The Agen-Nérac Hospital Center, in turn, will host colorectal cancer screening awareness booths on March 24.
IN NUMBERS
17,500 colorectal cancer deaths in 2019
2,200 new cancers each year
2,600 cancers prevented each year thanks to screening (for example, there would be 5,700 colorectal cancers and 6,600 deaths avoided per year with a participation rate in screening of 65%.
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