While colorectal cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in Quebec and the province is the only one in the country not to benefit from an organized screening program for colorectal cancer, it is necessary to recall the importance prevention and early detection.
As part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign Together, let’s defeat colon cancer of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) invites Quebecers aged 50 to 74 to talk regarding the early detection of this cancer and to learn regarding the iFOBT screening test (immunochemical test for occult blood in stools) with a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Surprisingly, while the iFOBT test is one of the main solutions to dethroning colon cancer, 76% of respondents to a Leger survey carried out in 2022 had never heard of this screening test.
Yet, the iFOBT test can detect precancerous lesions that can be easily and safely removed even before they turn into cancer.
This screening test is performed in less than two minutes in the comfort and privacy of your home.
It is simple, quick, painless, non-invasive and non-restrictive.
“When colorectal cancer is detected and treated at an early stage (stage 1 or 2), the chances of successful treatment increase and the chance of survival following five years is at least 90%. This is why it is important to talk regarding the iFOBT screening test, because when this test is carried out in time, it can interrupt the progression of colorectal cancer and save lives”, explains Alexandra Lalonde, Project Manager, Cancer prevention and health promotion at the CCS in a press release.
Because colon cancer is silent, it develops few or no symptoms early in its formation.
This is why nearly one in two colorectal cancers is already at stage 3 or 4 when it is detected, ie it has spread elsewhere in the body.
At the more advanced stage (stage 4), the survival rate for this cancer does not exceed 11%.
In 2022, nearly 6,200 Quebecers were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approximately 2,550 were killed by the disease.
Unfortunately, there are still many taboos surrounding colon cancer, which prevents many people from taking action by performing the iFOBT screening test.
From 1is on March 31, it is an opportunity to break the taboos surrounding colorectal cancer in order to take action once morest this disease.
(É.B./IJL)
