VIDEO – On the occasion of Blue Mars, the National Cancer Institute wants to raise awareness about the dangerousness of colorectal cancer and the value of screening.
With 43,000 new cases each year and 18,000 deaths, colon cancer is the second deadliest cancer in France. “Whereas with a simple routine check-up, we can cure it in 9 out of 10 cases”, assures the National Cancer Institute (Inca) in a TV spot broadcast on the occasion of the Mars Bleu screening campaign.
In a thriller atmosphere shot in black and white, the Inca wanted to discuss the dangerousness of this cancer and the positive impact of screening. “The atmosphere of suspense is linked to the murderous and invisible nature of colorectal cancer,” explains the Inca. “Because he acts in the shadows, because he knows how to be forgotten, and because no one wants to hear from him”, comments the deep voice of the video to be discovered from March 12 to April 2 on all TV channels.
In fact, colorectal cancer is a disease that grows slowly and silently. The tumor, called a polyp, appears on the inner wall of the colon and rectum. But it takes at least 10 years for her to become cancerous.
Cancerous lesions can therefore be detected very early on, long before they have caused too much damage. This is the whole point of the screening test offered free of charge every year to people aged 50 to 74, with no particular history.
A quick and efficient test
Identifying these polyps before the cancer stage makes it possible to reduce the number of cancers and the mortality attributed to this pathology. Indeed, the earlier these lesions are detected, the higher the chances of survival. They are 90% if the cancer is confined to the inner surface of the colon wall, 70% if the tumor has reached a node and 13% if the cancer has spread to other organs.
The colon cancer screening test is not invasive. The doctor provides the screening kit to the patient so that he can carry it out at home. It consists of the detection of traces of blood in the stool – the development of polyps causes minimal bleeding. The sample stick must then be returned by mail to the address indicated on the T envelope provided.
Less than one in 3 people get tested
In more than 95% of cases, the result is negative. However, it is important to perform this screening test every 2 years. For the remaining 5%, a positive test does not mean that there is necessarily cancer. An additional examination, colonoscopy, is then performed to deepen the diagnosis.
Between the 1er January 2015 and December 31, 2016, 18.6 million people aged 50 to 74 were invited to participate in the screening program. Nearly 5 million carried out the test, which represents a participation rate of 29.3%, indicates Public Health France. This participation rate is well below the European target of 45%. The Inca therefore hopes to do better this year.
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