the visit of a giant colon proposed to Orthez to encourage screening

Yet screening for warning signs is very simple. “An invitation is sent to everyone by Medicare between 50 and 74 years old. The test is to be requested from your attending physician and to be done at home, every two years. It is extremely simple and painless. This is a stool sample to be taken using a kit and returned by post using a return envelope. The analysis is carried out by a single laboratory which receives all the tests,” explains Alice Vernhes, in charge of prevention at the League once morest cancer. The results are then sent to the patient and his doctor.

The fact remains that barely a third of the French people concerned carry out this screening completely free of charge. Figures just as low locally with a screening rate of 28.1% in the canton of Orthez, lands of the gave and salt and 29.7% for the whole of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. “Detected early, colorectal cancer is cured in 9 out of 10 cases. And in 96% of screenings, no abnormality is detected,” says Dr. Hazem Haswani. The test must be repeated systematically every two years until the age of 74.

Early diagnosis ensures cure

“If participation in screening reached 65%, we would avoid 6,500 additional deaths each year,” insists Benjamin Gandouet, director of the Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Center. A reality that prompted health professionals from Orthez hospital, with the League once morest cancer and Medicare to invest the Super U shopping mall, Tuesday, March 1, to educate customers.

On leaving the checkouts, a giant settler welcomes the carts for an unusual visit. “The objective is first of all to call out to draw attention to a subject which may be taboo or unattractive”, smiles Christelle Bleuven, nurse in the senior prevention team at Orthez hospital. Immersed in the inflatable structure, the curious discover the secrets of their digestive tract. “This makes it possible to visualize the differences between a healthy wall and anomalies such as diverticula or polyps which can trigger a tumor process”, continues the nurse.

The exchange with oncologists also promotes understanding of risk factors such as the lifestyle to be observed to keep the disease at bay. “It is clear that physical activity such as a healthy and balanced diet reduce the risks”, comments Dr. Saadoun. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle, the consumption of tobacco and alcohol make the terrain conducive to the emergence of this cancer among the deadliest.

This “Colon tour” will be, Wednesday, March 2, on the Jeliote esplanade in Oloron Sainte-Marie, from 10 a.m. to noon and at the Leclerc shopping center in the town in the followingnoon.