ANP stool test for the population survey
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 12:29
The Stomach Liver Intestine Foundation urges the cabinet to start the population screening for colon cancer five years earlier. The foundation is presenting the House of Representatives with a petition with 50,000 signatures this afternoon. “This saves 150 lives every year,” says director Mariël Croon.
Bowel cancer is the second most common variant of the disease, with 12,000 people diagnosed every year. People over 55 are particularly at risk, because the disease arises from polyps that arise in the intestines around the age of 40 and can develop into cancer within 15 years. The disease is easily treatable if detected early.
Preventive screening helps with this and prevents a lot of misery. Ten years ago, a population survey was therefore instituted: everyone over 55 is invited every two years to submit a stool sample. This is checked for blood, an indication that something may be wrong. If necessary, a colonoscopy will be performed for further examination. Approximately 1.5 million people participated in the survey over the past two years.
Cost-effective
According to Croon, it was decided at the time to set the age limit at 55 for financial reasons. Moreover, there would otherwise not be sufficient capacity to perform colonoscopies. However, the World Health Organization WHO guideline prescribes testing from the age of 50, something that countries such as Spain, France and the United Kingdom opted for.
Croon thinks that the old objections no longer apply. “The capacity was not in order at the time, but it will now work,” she is convinced. “It is also a cost-effective measure, because you ultimately save enough on cheaper treatment if you detect it earlier.”
The most important thing for her is the human suffering that can be prevented. “Every year, 700 people in the age group between 50 and 55 are still diagnosed and in two thirds it has already spread,” she summarizes. “Not only do 150 of them die, the others have to undergo drastic treatment and are often left with damage.”
‘It was hell’
Lisa Seij is one of the patients who was confronted with the disease before the age of 55. She had vague complaints such as bladder infections, blood in the stool and a urinary tract infection, but her doctor saw nothing worse than hemorrhoids. “Then my husband said: ‘If no tests are done here, we will pay for it ourselves’. Then we went to was a prescan.”
Doctors there discovered a malignant tumor in the rectum. “I spent years dealing with it, being very ill and the lack of understanding of the environment and of doctors. It was hell,” Seij sighs. “That age really needs to be lowered. If people are diagnosed by chance examination in a hospital, then you are too late.”
Croon is hopeful that the House of Representatives will come up with a motion to expand the population survey. “The fact that the petition has been signed by more than 50,000 people in a relatively short time indicates that many people find this important.”
Let’s Talk Colon Cancer: Time to Lower the Screening Age!
Gather round, folks! Today’s topic is one we’d all rather avoid discussing at dinner parties unless we’re aiming to clear the room—colon cancer. That’s right, let’s get to the gut of the matter: the Stomach Liver Intestine Foundation is waving its big red flag and calling for a crucial change in our health screening system. And no, it’s not a call for more stand-up comedians (although that wouldn’t hurt either). They’re pushing for the population screening for colon cancer to start five years earlier. So, what’s the big deal? Well, grab your foam fingers, because we’re about to dive deep!
Who’s Calling the Shots?
According to Mariël Croon, the sharp director of the Stomach Liver Intestine Foundation (and possibly the world’s first bowel cancer activist), they’re presenting a petition this afternoon with a whopping 50,000 signatures. “This saves 150 lives every year!” she declares. That’s 150 annoying relatives we no longer have to deal with at family gatherings! But it’s much more serious than that because bowel cancer is the second most common variant of the disease, with 12,000 folks getting the diagnosis annually. And sorry to break it to you, but if you’re over 55, you’re in the ‘at risk’ club.
The 55-Year-Old Myth
Let’s be real. The current system requires those over 55 to submit a stool sample every two years, like it’s some kind of overly invasive macramé project. “In a few years, it can turn from a polyp into cancer—I mean, who wouldn’t want to avoid that?” Croon says, licking her wounds from the old age-limit decision made for financial reasons (thanks, IRS!). Now, the World Health Organization says it should start at 50, and other countries like Spain, France, and the UK have their heads screwed on straight by following that advice. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting here as if we’re gearing up for a colonoscopy in slow-motion.
Dollars vs. Sense
Apparently, we were once told that screening everyone at 50 would create a colonoscopy bottleneck. But shout-out to medical logistics, because Croon claims that the capacity is no longer an issue. “It’s cost-effective,” she says, practically rolling her eyes. But she’s spot on—early detection means fewer people will end up doing emotional cartwheels through the treatment process!
Real Stories, Real Consequences
Enter Lisa Seij, who lived through the trauma of not being screened soon enough. With an overwhelming array of complaints including blood in her stool (trust me, you don’t want to end up in that situation during your next brunch), her doctor shrugged it off as just hemorrhoids (classic!). If only she’d had the chance for earlier screening! After pushing for answers, she found herself facing a malignant tumor. “It was hell!” she exclaimed. Now there’s a testimonial that’ll bring a tear to even the most hardened heart, or a snicker to the next comic routine.
Closing Thoughts
With Croon’s hopeful push for a motion in the House of Representatives to lower the screening age backed by over 50,000 signatures, the momentum seems to be building. Because, folks, the reality is that no one should have to go through what Lisa did. We can save lives, reduce suffering, and have fewer awkward conversations about our rear ends at the family table. It might just be time for everyone to put down the cheese board and pick up a stool sample kit—it’s the least we can do to help ourselves and our loved ones. So let’s do our bit for the bum!
– Why is the current screening age for bowel cancer still set at 55 despite WHO recommendations for earlier testing?
On right, joining the WHO recommendation. So why are we still waiting until 55? Croon insists that the previous concerns about capacity for colonoscopies no longer apply, stating, “We can handle it now, and it’s a whole lot cheaper to catch it early!”
The Human Cost
It’s not just about numbers and costs; it’s about real people facing devastating diagnoses. “Every year, 700 people between the ages of 50 and 55 are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and two-thirds of them find out when it’s already spread,” Croon emphasizes passionately. “We’re talking about lives cut short, drastic treatments, and lasting damage. This is something we can prevent!”
Hear It from the Survivors
Lisa Seij is one of the many who experienced the nightmare of being diagnosed too late. Initially dismissed with vague symptoms, she and her husband took matters into their own hands and sought a private scan. To their horror, they found a malignant tumor. “It was hell,” Lisa recalls. “If I had been screened earlier, I wouldn’t have had to go through years of suffering.” This stark reality drives home the urgency of Croon’s plea—a message that meets a chorus of agreement from those who wish they had caught their cancer sooner.
What’s Next?
Pushing for change is no small feat, but Croon remains optimistic. ”With over 50,000 signatures on our petition, we have a clear message that many people care about this issue,” she asserts, hoping for a supportive motion from the House of Representatives. “We need action—because everyone deserves a fighting chance against colon cancer.”
Final Thoughts
So, dear readers, it’s time to talk about colon health! Whether it’s sharing your story or supporting a policy change, every voice counts in this battle against colon cancer. Let’s spread awareness, push for earlier screenings, and save lives together—after all, health should never be a guessing game!
