95% of French people know about colorectal cancer. The majority of them (90%) think that it is treated and that it is easily screened (86%), yet they are only a third to be screened according to a press release from the France Colon Association.
French people know about colorectal cancer and risk factors
95% of French people know about colorectal cancer, of which 35% precisely and 51% vaguely. They also know the risk factors to have this disease.
Indeed, 83% of French people know that being over 50 multiplies the risks. And on average 70% of respondents say that family history, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, excessive alcohol or red meat consumption are risk factors for developing colorectal cancer.
“Colorectal cancer mainly affects people over 50, people suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis or people belonging to families where colorectal cancer has affected one or more generations ”explains Professor Christophe Tournigand, head of the medical oncology department at Henri Mondor Hospital.
The French do not screen themselves
For 90% of French people, colorectal canceris a cancer that can be treated and for 86% of French people, this disease is easily detected. However, the French do not screen themselves.
“Currently, only 31% of people over 50 have this screening. It’s not sufficient. Colorectal cancer detected at an early stage where the tumor is targeted allows a cure of about 95%. It is therefore crucial that patients get tested by asking their general practitioner to prescribe the test ”explains Professor Christophe Tournigand.
“Presence of blood in the stool, abnormal and repeated abdominal pain, major digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation), abnormal weight loss, these symptoms are not to be taken lightly. It is important to consult a doctor quickly as soon as one of these symptoms appears and to be diagnosed, ”says Professor Christophe Tournigand.
Before waiting for the first warning signs to appear, a screening test cancer treatment, Hemoccult II, is available free of charge to anyone over the age of 50.
Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer of all sexes, behind lung cancer. And with 42,152 new cases estimated in 2012 in France, 55% of which in humans, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after prostate cancer (56,841 new cases) and breast cancer (48,763 ).
To best meet the needs of patients and their families, the France Colon Association is launching a national survey in May on the experiences and expectations of patients. It will be distributed in the gastroenterology departments and on the website www.association-france-colon.fr to collect as many patient testimonials as possible.