Par Marie-Cécile Itier
Published on
The Department of Lot has an average of 520 cancer deaths each year (2013-2017 figures*). Deaths due to cancer constitute, all territories combined, 23% of deaths in the Lot.
However, figures that remain below the national average. Thus each year on average, there are 57 deaths from colon cancer, and 42 deaths from breast cancer, which are among the most common cancers and which can partly be avoided through screening.
A low screening rate in the Lot
And yet, screening rates remain relatively low in the Lot department.
So the screening you cancer be you reached 51.9% of its target (women over 50), lower than the regional rate of 54.5%. This screening made it possible to detect at the earliest 73 breast cancers in 2021, before the onset of symptoms.
Concerning cancer colorectal, only 34.1% of the people concerned took part in the screening campaign, which however made it possible to detect 25 colorectal cancers in 2021.
The scourge of age-related illnesses in the Lot
Unsurprisingly, the most common chronic pathologies in the Lot are those related to age. Thus, the most common chronic disease in the Lot department is type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which affects 5.5% of the Lot population (compared to 4.9% in Occitanie). In 2nd place are malignant tumors and blood cancers with 4.8% (compared to 3.7% in Occitanie and 3.8% nationally) followed by coronary heart disease with 3.3% of the population affected (compared to 2 .6 in Occitania and 2.2% in France) and severe heart failure which concerns 3.3% of Lot residents (compared to a rate of 2.2% in France and 2.4% in Occitania). Long-term psychiatric conditions end this sad list with 2.7% of long-term pathologies in the Lot once morest 2.8% in Occitania.
Developing these cancer screening practices in the Lot is the main challenge of the Lot Occitanie Regional Cancer Screening Center (CRCDC 46 – former ADECA 46). At CRCDC 46, Dr. Caline Ngounou-Nzietchueng, a doctor specializing in public health, has taken over from Dr. Casaux and is continuing his cancer screening and awareness missions.
Pink October, blue March…
The CRCDC 46 carries out important work each year on Pink October around breast cancer but also female cancers in general (cervix, etc.).
Then in the spring, the center relays the Mars Bleu campaign for colorectal cancer screening, which consists of looking for traces of blood in the stool using a home sampling kit. The people concerned receive a letter which allows them to collect this screening kit free of charge from the pharmacy.
It is also possible to collect them from your attending physician or by placing an order on the website. monkit.depistage-colorectal.fr.
After a brief questionnaire to check the background, the kit is then given free of charge. In the event of a history, the patient is redirected for further follow-up. For Mars Bleu, the CRCDC 46 has entered into a partnership with the city of Cahors to illuminate the Valentré bridge in blue, the CPAM will contact the beneficiaries of the CMUC directly and awareness workshops will take place in companies. The actions will also continue in April, in particular with the passage of the Colon Tour on 6 avril 2023 in Prayssac.
Screening and prevention are essential to be able to treat cancers effectively. The earlier a cancer is detected, the greater the chances of a cure. These preventive actions are quick, painless and effective. They should not be neglected.
*Source CRAI ORS Occitanie territory portrait
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