Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 28 Mar. (Europa Press) –
Throughout 2024, the Canary Health Service (SCS) has invited a total of 143,449 individuals aged between fifty and sixty-nine to take part in the Early Diagnostic Programme for Colon and Rectal Cancer in the Canary Islands.
From the total number of individuals invited last year, 55,170 people, representing 38.45 percent, took part in the Early Detection Programme, according to public data released this Friday by the Regional Government in recognition of ‘World Colon Cancer Day’.
The detection test carried out, which is a faecal blood test, returned positive results for 2,415 patients, leading to the identification of 32 colon cancers, 411 high-risk adenomas, and 343 of low risk.
The Canary Health Service contacts the selected population via SMS to encourage participation in the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Programme; if there is no updated mobile number recorded in their medical history, a letter is dispatched to their home address.
Both the SMS and the letter specify the health centre, along with the date and time for the appointment regarding the test.
Furthermore, this communication includes a link to the SCS website where comprehensive information regarding the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Programme can be accessed, as detailed in a departmental note.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer arises from the abnormal proliferation of cells within the tissues of the final segment of the digestive system. The primary risk factors for its onset—especially from the age of fifty—include family history and previous occurrences of other tumours or digestive disorders, such as inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Despite the significant incidence and mortality rates associated with this tumour, the survival rate exceeds ninety percent in cases where the disease is identified at an early stage.
Adopting a healthy and balanced diet, steering clear of a sedentary lifestyle, avoiding smoking, and timely diagnostic testing are the most effective strategies for preventing colorectal cancer.
The invitations to engage in the Early Diagnostic Colorectal Cancer Programme are tailored towards the early detection of this condition, which is deemed the most prevalent malignant tumour and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Spain.
The early diagnosis of colon cancer involves a straightforward hidden blood test, requiring a simple single sample that can be conducted at home and submitted to the health centre.
Should a colonoscopy be necessary to investigate the cause of any bleeding, it may reveal a benign polyp; however, its removal is crucial in preventing potential cancer development over time.
Through the early diagnosis of this tumour, it is feasible to diminish the number of cases, as removing polyps assists in preventing their progression to cancer. Moreover, detection at earlier stages enables therapeutic interventions during the diagnostic endoscopy process, thereby potentially enhancing survival rates.
The initiation of the early diagnostic programme for colorectal cancer has led to the identification of patients deemed to be at high risk, who are subsequently referred to specialised medical consultations for this condition.
If the disease is detected at an early phase, mortality rates can decrease by as much as 30 percent, a significant statistic considering the average five-year survival rate is around 55 percent.
Additionally, the identification of precancerous lesions and the removal of the associated polyps ensures that between 60 and 90 percent of cases do not progress to colon cancer.
