Blue March: participation in colorectal cancer screening still too low

Colorectal cancer screening is in crisis. Indeed, the figures for the number of people screened in 2021, up slightly compared to 2020, are still well below expectations. In question, in particular, the health crisis linked to Covid-19.

A letter from Medicare to test yourself at home

However, all men and women aged 50 to 74 receive an invitation to screening by mail from the Health Insurance. The mail contains a simple, painless immunological self-test that is easy to perform at home. 100% supported, it allows early detection of the presence of blood in the stool that may come from lesions that can become cancerous, and therefore treat them in time, before they evolve.

Despite the launch of blue mars, 15 years ago now, participation in this screening remains insufficient. “This can be explained by the many taboos that persist around these cancers, the lack of information and support… To these factors, around which we have been working tirelessly for years, is added the Covid-19 pandemic which led to a drop in participation in all screenings. Due to the delays recorded, many cancers are diagnosed at more advanced stages. worries Daniel Nizri, volunteer president of the League Against Cancer.

Two novelties for 2022

According to Daniel Nizri, “The situation is worrying: access to screening is becoming more complex, particularly in certain areas, widening inequalities. It is urgent to facilitate access to screening tests and improve their availability to catch up with the delay caused by the health crisis.. To do this, the League Against Cancer is announcing two new features, intended to facilitate access to screening:

• The possibility of requesting the sending of the test by mail. In concrete terms, eligible people who have received the invitation to screening must go to the website http://www.monkit.depistage-colorectal.fr with the number appearing on the invitation letter. A questionnaire will then determine if the test is appropriate based on the person’s personal and family history, and if so, it will be sent to them.
• Consultation of the test result is now available online via another website: www.resultat-depistage.fr.

Cancers detected early are cured in 9 out of 10 cases

The League Against Cancer therefore encourages screening for this cancer, which affects more than 40,000 people each year, recalling that by detecting it and treating it early, colon cancer is curable in nine out of ten cases.

As a reminder, colon cancer:

• Occurs after age 50 in 95% of cases;
• Can be prevented by the detection and elimination of polyps thanks to the screening test and colonoscopy, before they evolve into potential cancer;
• Is curable in more than 90% of cases when diagnosed early;
• Affects more than 43,000 people each year, or nearly 120 cases diagnosed per day.

Prevention rules for all

The League Against Cancer also recalls the prevention message common to all to reduce the risk of developing cancer, namely:

• Avoid smoking and reduce alcohol consumption;
• Have a balanced diet, increase the consumption of fiber (bread, brown rice, vegetables, etc.) and practice regular physical activity to keep a stable weight, fight against a sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity;
• Limit the consumption of red meat and foods high in fat, such as cold cuts, and banish nitrites
• Practice regular physical activity, which reduces the risk of colon cancer by 20 to 25% for moderate activity and by 40 to 50% for intense activity;
• Consult quickly in case of blood in the stool, for unexplained weight loss or transit disorders.