Blue March: "Getting screened means giving yourself the best chance"

On the occasion of "Blue March", the month dedicated to colorectal cancer prevention and screening, the Ministry of Health and Social Security is renewing its campaign: "Getting screened means giving yourself the best chance". This initiative aims to raise public awareness on the importance of organised screening for colorectal cancer, which accounts for about 10% of cancer cases and, according to the World Health Organisation, is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide [1].

Since the launch of the organised colorectal cancer screening programme (PDOCCR) in 2021, 302,164 invitations have been sent out and 74,798 screening tests have been carried out, representing a participation rate of just under 28%, below the European average of 36%. By way of comparison, according to Digestive Cancers Europe (DCE), participation varies considerably across Europe, ranging from as much as 77% in Finland to only 8% in Hungary. Luxembourg's objective is to increase this rate, as colorectal cancer is curable in 9 out of 10 cases when detected in time.

Reminder on how the screening programme works

The programme is open to men and women aged 45-74 who are affiliated to the CNS. Those who have received an invitation can take their invitation letter to a pharmacy or a Bionext laboratory sampling centre to collect their free screening kit. It is also possible to order the kit online via Guichet.lu (guichet.lu/depistage-colorectal-en) or by calling the Bionext laboratory on (+352) 27 321 888. The kit will be sent by post. People who have already been screened through the programme will automatically receive a new screening kit with their invitation, without having to order one in advance.

The kits, containing the FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test), are designed to be hygienic and easy to use, and are available in French, German, Luxembourgish, Portuguese and English.

Once the test has been carried out at home, it can be sent by post or dropped off at a Bionext laboratory collection centre. The result will then be sent directly by the laboratory.

Non-Luxembourg residents in the target age group who are affiliated to the CNS can also take part in the programme, by contacting the Cancer Screening Programme Coordination Centre by telephone on 247-75550 or by email at colorectal@ms.etat.lu.

As part of the campaign "Getting screened means giving yourself the best chance"’, numerous awareness-raising activities are planned, including a new video tutorial to guide the public through the FIT test.

How to prevent colorectal cancer: best practices

Preventive measures are recommended to limit the risk of developing colorectal cancer:

• Avoid tobacco, i.e. do not smoke
• Have a balanced diet rich in fibre
• Limit the consumption of red and processed meat
• Maintain a healthy weight and fight against overweight and obesity
• Avoid alcohol consumption
• Take regular physical exercise

[1] Colorectal cancer on the website of the World Health Organisation

Press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Security