Colorectal cancer - set the odds in your favour, get tested

BLUE MARCH: a month-long campaign dedicated to colorectal cancer prevention and screening

The month of March, known as 'Blue March', is dedicated to colorectal cancer prevention and screening. In Europe, this type of cancer is diagnosed in around 341,400 people per year and this figure continues to grow. In Luxembourg, this cancer is the second biggest killer when it comes to cancer, but if detected early, it can be cured in 9 out of 10 cases. Screening plays an essential role in this.

To combat this disease more effectively, the aim is to increase participation in the colorectal cancer screening programme organised by the Cancer Screening Programme Coordination Centre at the Health Directorate (Direction de la santé).

To mark Blue March, a communication campaign has been put into place by the Ministry of Health to encourage people to participate in this organised screening programme:

• Posters will be displayed in pharmacies and GP practices to raise awareness on the subject.
  
• An explanatory video will appear on the Ministry of Health's social networks, explaining symptoms that may indicate you have colorectal cancer.
• A Facebook Live event is also planned on this theme on 15 March 2023 at 17.00, with Ms Milene Silveira, the head of cancer screening programmes at the Health Directorate, alongside Dr Elisabeth Letellier from the University of Luxembourg, who will share information and respond live to any questions from the public.
• In addition, an online conference (Lunchtalk), specifically aimed at doctors, will be organised to discuss the subject and help them raise awareness among their patients about colorectal cancer prevention and screening.

You can find more information at sante.lu/cancercolorectal.