Detected at an early stage, colorectal cancer is cured in 9 out of 10 cases
The third most common cancer, colorectal cancer affects 43,300 people and causes 17,100 deaths each year. Public Health France monitors the evolution of colorectal cancer in France and is in charge of evaluating the national screening program whose participation data is published each year. This program, offered every 2 years to people aged 50 to 74, makes it possible to detect polyps or adenomas before they degenerate into cancer or to highlight colorectal cancer at an early stage. The results of the evaluation carried out over the period 2021-2022 show that just over a third of the people concerned have undergone a screening test. However, thanks to a simple and effective screening to be carried out at home, this cancer can be detected at an early stage and cured in 9 out of 10 cases.
Public Health France recalls the importance of continuing to raise public awareness of the importance of screening to encourage participation and reduce the cancer-related mortality rate. Every year, in March, a information campaign is carried out by theInstitut national du cancer for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The key figures of colon rectum cancer
Colorectal cancer: key screening results in 2021-2022
Nearly 35% of the population had a colorectal cancer screening test in 2021-2022, a stable figure compared to the previous period (2020-2021) but still below the European standard (45%)
- Of the 17.7 million eligible people, 6.1 million underwent a colorectal cancer screening test in 2021-2022, representing a participation rate of 34.3% versus 34.6% in 2020-2021. Although stable, for these two reference periods these are the highest participation rates observed for more than 10 years.
- Higher participation rate among women (35.3%) than among men (33.2%), which increases with age and varies according to the departments:
- among men: from 32.6% among 50-54 year olds to 38.7% among 70-74 year olds;
- among women: from 34.4% among 50-54 year olds to 38.4% among 70-74 year olds;
- the lowest rates are observed in Guyana (8.3%), Corsica (18.2%) and Guadeloupe (21.4%);
- the highest rates are observed in Ille-et-Vilaine (45.3%), Maine-et-Loire (44.4%), Haut-Rhin (44.4%) and Bas-Rhin ( 44.1%).
- Proportion of positive test of 3.5% (213,599 people tested positive), higher in men (4.2%) than in women (2.9%), which increases with age and varies according to the departments :
- among men: from 3.5% among 50-54 year olds to 5.5% among 70-74 year olds;
- among women: from 2.7% among 50-54 year olds to 3.7% among 70-74 year olds;
- it also varies according to the departments from 3.0% to 4.3%.
Facilitate access to the test to promote the participation of the target population in this life-saving screening
In order to facilitate and diversify the methods of access to the screening test, new measures have been put in place.
monkit.dépistage-colorectal.fr: order and receive your colorectal cancer screening kit at home
Since March 1, 2022, it is possible, for men and women aged 50 to 74, with their invitation to participate in organized colorectal cancer screening, to order the test online to receive it at home: monkit.depistage-colorectal.fr.
Monkit.depistage-colorectal.fr is a site of the Ministry of Health and Solidarity, Health Insurance and the National Cancer Institute.
Delivery of the screening kit in the pharmacy or by the doctor
It is now possible, for men and women aged 50 to 74, to collect their screening kit from the pharmacy: the pharmacist, who has received specific training, ensures that the test is the screening adapted to the person who makes the request and, if necessary, gives him a screening test. Just as it is possible to obtain it via a doctor.
Colorectal cancer: a preventable cancer
How does colorectal cancer develop?
Colorectal cancer develops from cells that line the inside lining of the colon or rectum. Most often, these malignant tumors arise from a benign tumor that grows slowly and eventually becomes cancerous.
How can colorectal cancer be detected?
Colorectal cancer can be discovered at an early stage through screening for fecal occult blood. In France, an organized screening program is offered every 2 years to people aged 50 to 74 inviting them to take a screening test. People with a positive test result are asked to have a colonoscopy to check for the possible presence of precancerous lesions or cancer.
What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?
Several modifiable risk factors relating to lifestyle (alcohol consumption, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, diet with low fiber consumption, excessive consumption of red meat or processed meats) have been identified and these cancers are therefore partly preventable.
The missions of Public Health France in the surveillance and prevention of colorectal cancer
- Monitoring the epidemiological evolution of colorectal cancer
- Evaluate the national screening program organized at national, regional and departmental level
- Promoting the fight once morest avoidable risk factors
