About 25% of people participate in the colon cancer early detection program. Since it began, in December last year, more than 10,000 people from Canelo, Encamp, Ordino and part of La Massana have been invited to the conference. Investigate. 94% of people had a negative result on the fecal occult blood test, but 144 people tested positive. With the Colonoscopy After that, 10 cancer cases were discovered. Soon, it will be the turn of the parishes of Andorra la Vella, Sant Julia and Escaldes. The target population is 26,000 people, aged between 50 and 74 years.
From the Ministry of Health, Monica Mallett confirms that program Early detection of colon cancerIt works very well“, despite of “Participation is not very highHe invites participation: “It is a program that is accessible, easy to do and the benefits are very great.”
The importance of prevention
Work on it Colon Cancer in Initial stages Increases survival rate. for this reason Early detection programme Targeting people in between 50 and 74 years old The Ministry of Health is the key to detecting and preventing the disease.
Colon cancer has one High incidence of infection In the advanced countries. In fact, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in both women and men. The doctor coordinating the examination unit, Montserrat Puig, stresses the importance of taking action as quickly as possible. “Dealing with the disease at very early stages makes the survival rate very high.”
According to Puig, 70% of colon cancer cases they Sporadic. “they Patients without symptoms They are at risk of contracting the disease without knowing it. “They do not have a family history of colon cancer or gastrointestinal diseases that could link them to cancer.” This is why it is so important Investigate. And Investigate Targeted at moderate risk populations.
You are invited to participate in The program literally And you can Sample collection And receive information at any Salvation Center. “Once the sample is taken, we are responsible for transporting it to the laboratory,” explains primary care nurse Laura Orella.
If the result positivethe person is invited to make one Colonoscopy. With this test, there is a first outcome: “They know whether there are polyps or not,” says Pilar Lopez, a case manager nurse in the screening unit. He adds: “As long as it is there Polyps The idea is Delete them. It is analyzed and the most important thing is to know First and last name of polyps Above all, he must intend to become evil, to know how Proceed later In every case.
As for people who have A Negative result To test for occult blood in stool, the program invites them to do it again Less than two years.
information: Karen Jakosana
Photos: Pau Bonastre
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