Blue March: general mobilization for the launch of the colorectal cancer screening campaign

A colorectal cancer screening kit. MAXPPP – Rémy PERRIN

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most widespread in France, and affects both men and women. It is the cause of approximately 17,000 deaths per year in France, including 1,600 in Occitanie

It is the cause of around 17,000 deaths per year in France, with more than 47,000 new cases revealed each year, including 1,600 in Occitanie (out of more than 4,000 cases).

This is the reality of colorectal cancer, recalled this Friday by the Regional Health Agency on the occasion of the launch of the Blue Mars device.

An operation which aims to "develop participation in screening" of this pathology. Screening which concerns men and women aged 50 to 74, i.e., across the region, a potential population of 1.65 million people.

Participation so far insufficient

However, according to figures from Public Health France reported this Friday by Philippe Trotabas, coordinating director of risk management in Occitanie, also director of the CPAM of Hérault, only "31.8% of this eligible population took a colorectal cancer screening test in 2021-2022, i.e. 2.5% less than the national average".

Which marks a stagnation compared to the previous campaign, and proves to be clearly insufficient. And therefore justifies the very broad mobilization deployed in favor of this screening test. An immunological test that requires nothing other than a stool sample, to be carried out at home, and sent to the laboratory by post.

"You should prefer to know, not to be afraid"

The kit and envelope are provided, and can be collected from your GP, in community pharmacies, or by ordering them online (*). "A free test, not dangerous, not painful, and effective!" assured Philippe Trotabas.

A virtue of efficiency which Didier Jaffre, the director general of the Occitanie Regional Health Agency, also insisted on this Friday: &quot ;Man or woman, over 50, you need to get tested, you shouldn't be afraid. It’s better to know! In the vast majority of cases the result is negative (3.6% of positive tests for the 2021-2022 campaign, Editor's note), and if it is positive, diagnosing it as early as possible allows for better treatment. It’s vital!"

Online ordering site: monkit.depistage-colorectal.fr.