Starting today, Dutch drugstore chain Kruidvat is selling self-tests for colorectal cancer, making the tests more accessible to the public. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the non-profit organization Stop Darmkanker (Stop Colorectal Cancer), aims to increase early detection rates of the disease, which affects approximately one in twenty people in Belgium, according to the organization.
The at-home tests detect traces of blood in stool that are not visible to the naked eye, potentially indicating the presence of colorectal cancer or polyps. While a positive result does not automatically confirm a cancer diagnosis, it may signal other intestinal conditions. Kruidvat is offering the tests for around 13 euros, a reduction from the approximately 20 euros charged in pharmacies, in an effort to lower both the financial and social barriers to screening, according to Dominique Vandijck, a health economist at Ghent University and co-CEO of Stop Darmkanker.
The availability of these tests comes as part of International Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. However, experts caution that self-administered tests have limitations. Results can be false positives or false negatives, necessitating further investigation by a medical professional.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) as well offers a colorectal cancer screening program, utilizing a similar self-test, but with a key difference. The RIVM program meticulously registers the entire process, from the date of the test to the results and follow-up care and informs the individual’s general practitioner. This allows for quality control and monitoring of the test’s effectiveness.
In contrast, the self-tests purchased from pharmacies, Kruidvat, or online lack this registration process. According to the website for the Flemish population screening program for colorectal cancer, this absence of quality control and follow-up is a significant concern. The program advises individuals who do not wish to participate in the official screening program to obtain a stool test through their doctor rather than purchasing a self-test.
The Flemish Apothekers Network (Flemish Pharmacists’ Network) highlighted the launch of the Kruidvat tests as an opportunity for pharmacists, noting that the tests available at Kruidvat are identical to those sold in pharmacies.
