Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, and it causes more than 17,000 deaths each year in France. Cancers that now affect people between the ages of 40 and 50 more frequently. Normally the over 50s are concerned, this is revealed by a recent American study.
Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist at Doctor’s Daily. We talks today about screening for colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer, which causes more than 17,000 deaths each year in France.
franceinfo: And it was a recent American study on the subject that caught your attention?
Martin Ducret: Yes quite. A large study, led by the American Cancer Society, which reveals that between 2020 and 2023, cases of colorectal cancer increased by 9% among Americans aged 40 to 50, an age group which is usually small affected by this cancer. It is normally patients over 50 who are concerned.
How is this explained?
The authors of this study do not know precisely the reason for this increase. They evoke hypotheses such as an unhealthy lifestyle – junk food for example – or a disturbance of the intestinal microbiota.
In fact, certain risk factors for colorectal cancer are already well identified: advanced age of course, heredity as well, but also a poor lifestyle, such as excessive consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, a diet low in fiber and too rich in red meats, and of course obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
In France, screening for this cancer concerns people aged 50 to 74. But given the results of this study, should we screen earlier?
“Perhaps in the future, from the age of 45, like in the United States. But should we already screen more massively the patients concerned in our country? pointed out to me Dr. Denis Smith, digestive oncologist at the University Hospital of Bordeaux, and president of the Regional Cancer Screening Center of New Aquitaine.
Moreover, when we look at the latest report from Public Health France, the figures for participation in collective screening are much too low, only 35%. And even if this actually rises to 50% if we include individual screening, that is to say patients at risk who benefit from a colonoscopy, it is still insufficient!
When you know that this cancer, detected at an early stage, is cured in 9 cases out of 10. It is therefore essential to be screened if you are over fifty years old!
And how is screening for this cancer done in practice?
It is very simple. It is a test to be carried out at home, which consists of taking a small stool sample. It must be done every 2 years, and all you have to do is ask your doctor or pharmacist for the screening kit or simply order it on the National Cancer Institute website, you will also have all the information on the subject.