Bowel cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in both men and women. It represents 13% of all cancers in Belgium. If detected early, this cancer can be cured in 9 out of 10 cases.
A simple screening test to perform
Currently, eligible patients receive a letter inviting them to participate in this screening using a “colotest” kit that can be obtained through their doctor or the Coordination and Reference Center for Cancer Screening (CCRef). From September 16, 2024, each eligible patient will also have the opportunity to obtain the kit free of charge and directly from one of the 1,553 pharmacies open to the public in Wallonia (including the German-speaking Community). The pharmacist will provide the patient with information on how to properly carry out the test at home. The test is easy to perform (based on a stool sample) and is completely painless. Detailed instructions for use are provided in the screening kit.
As a reminder, this concerns patients aged between 50 and 74 years inclusive, residing in the Walloon Region, who have not taken the current screening test of the previous calendar year and/or who are not temporarily or permanently excluded from this screening.
Once the test has been carried out, the patient must return the sample as soon as possible and no later than 5 days after it has been carried out, by post (an envelope is provided for this purpose in the kit). The results will be sent to the doctor listed on the identification document a few days after the test has been analyzed in the laboratory.
Remember that a positive test means that blood has been detected in the stool. In 90% of cases, it is therefore not cancer! However, in the case of a positive test, it is important to go to your GP to obtain a prescription for a colonoscopy, which is a necessary additional examination.
