Colon and rectal cancer does not always cause symptoms and less or no symptoms in the early stages, therefore the disease can take a long time to detect.
At the same time, there is much to be gained from early detection.
– The majority of patients can be cured and the subsequent discomfort from the treatment will be much less if the cancer is detected early, says Stina Fuentes who is an oncologist and business developer at Regional Cancer Center Stockholm Gotland.
Screening for early detection
In order to increase the chances of early detection, since 2014 the National Board of Health and Welfare has recommended screening for colon and rectal cancer for everyone in Sweden between the ages of 60 and 74.
After that, a national care program for colon and rectal screening was developed and since September this year all regions offer screening.
The program means that those who participate send in stool samples every two years for analysis. In this way, invisible blood in the stool can be detected – which can be a sign of colon and rectal cancer.
In Region Stockholm, the screening program has already been running for several years. Something that Keyvan Elahi, chief physician and section head of the Endoscopy Center at St. Göran’s Hospital, is happy about.
– We find abnormalities in a large percentage of the patients who come here, the vast majority are benign, but of course we also find cancers, he says.
Fully developed program in 2026
Which age groups receive the offer to participate in the screening program varies between regions today, but the goal is that by 2026 it will apply to everyone aged 60–74.
– When the screening program is fully developed, it is expected to be able to save 300 lives per year, says oncologist Stina Fuentes.
Unique to the screening program is that it is coordinated nationally
– We hope that it will be efficient, more professional and equal. That all people in Sweden receive the same offer at the same age and the same care, says Stina Fuentes.