The Cancer League is launching a campaign to break the taboo of colorectal cancer screening, recalling that it is cured in 90 % of cases if it is detected early.
- Each year, colorectal cancer causes around 17,000 deaths in France, while early screening would save lives. However, only a third of 50-74 year olds carry out this simple and free test.
- To break this taboo, the cancer league launches the shock campaign “will shit”, recalling that detected early, this cancer is cured in 90 % of cases.
- In addition to the “Collon Tour”, the league even plans to affix messages on toilet paper to encourage screening. The objective: to encourage everyone to talk about this disease and to take action to better prevent it.
Each year, March is devoted to awareness of colorectal cancer, which affects more than 47,000 new people each year in France. For the launch of this “Blue Mars”, the Cancer League has chosen a striking slogan for its campaign: “Will shit”. A provocative formula, justified by a public health emergency. “Do you find it shocking? We find it shocking is that colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in France with more than 17,000 dead per year”,, Recalls the association.
Break colorectal cancer taboos
The colorectal cancer screening is still too little practiced: only a third of 50-74 year olds carry out the test every two years, as recommended. The test, although simple and free, still arouses reluctance. It consists in taking a sample of stools using a swab, placing it in a tube and sending it by post. A procedure that may seem disturbing for some, but whose issue is vital.
Detected at an early stage, colorectal cancer can be healed in 90 % of cases. “If you allow me the expression, it makes us pissing off ‘that we have 17,000 dead due to cancer which can be detected early and which heals”insists Dr. Emmanuel Ricard, of the league against cancer. The interest of screening also lies in prevention: before cancer is declared, precancerous lesions can be removed.
“Let us talk about it in families”
In order to encourage the population to be tested, the Cancer League is not limited to display campaigns. It also organizes the “Collon Tour”, a prevention operation that travels France to inform the public. For the next editions of “Mars Bleu”, the League even plans to go even further by associating with a toilet paper manufacturer. The idea? Register messages on each roll encouraging screening. “We, what matters to us is that we increase participation, that we talk about it in families”says Dr. Ricard.
By daring humor and provocation, the cancer league hopes to lift taboos and encourage more people to carry out this simple but potentially saving test. So, your turn to relay the message: talk to your loved ones, it can save their lives.
