The Screening Program for early detection of colon and rectal cancer (PDPCCR), managed by the Health Care Institute (IAS) in the health region of Girona, has allowed a total of 555 cases of cancer to be detected since 2013. Specifically , in 2023, they will detect 37 cancers, a figure that represents a rate of 1 case per thousand people screened.
The program, aimed at the population between 50 and 69 years old, has obtained a participation of 34.41% in the last year out of a total of 107,844 people invited.
Coinciding with the celebration of World Disease Day next Sunday, experts call for participation in the target population and point out that early diagnosis allows cure in 90% of diagnosed cases.
Colon and rectal cancer is the most common in the Gerona health region. About 600 cases are diagnosed each year and about 200 people die from this cause.
It is a disease that does not show symptoms until it is very advanced, so one of the "most important" ways to detect it at an early stage is to participate in the program, according to Dr. Javier Pamplona, digestiveologist and coordinator of the program. in the IAS: "Colon cancer usually begins with a benign lesion that can be removed endoscopically, before it progresses to a malignant lesion."
According to 2023 data and by territory, Garrotxa has led participation in the program with 45.87%, followed by Ripollès with 41.54%, Baix Empordà with 35.89%, Gironès and Selva -lan de l'Estany with 34.13%. Next is the Alt Empordà with a share of 33.37%, followed by the Alt Maresme with 32.65%, and finally, the Selva marítima with 27.54%.
The screening program was implemented in the Girona health region a decade ago, and is structured in two-year rounds. People between 50-69 in the territory are called to participate every two years, through a letter they receive at their home. Using a simple test that detects the presence of occult blood in feces, 16,400 tests have been positive and 13,540 colonoscopies have been performed, diagnosing these 555 cases of cancer detected since the beginning of the risk polyps and resecting benign lesions in more than 50% of the explorations.
The test is performed at home by collecting a stool sample with a kit that you pick up at the pharmacy. If the test is negative, participants are notified by letter. If it is positive, they are called to schedule a visit to the Endoscopy Unit of the hospital that corresponds to their Basic Health Area.
Based on the results of this study, the patient will be indicated if he or she should be referred to a diagnostic center to perform additional tests and initiate the mandatory treatment if the presence of cancer is confirmed; or perform a second examination after a while to follow up in case risk factors are detected.
The Girona health region, with the aim of increasing participation, carried out at the end of last year a communication campaign developed by the IAS, with the support of the Next Generation EU European Funds allocated to the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the Spanish government.
