Colon cancer: an all-day prevention operation in Sète

“With the colon tour, we reach more people, those who do not have medical monitoring, who are isolated, or who do not have a treating doctor”explains Audrey Brédar, health executive at the Bassin de Thau hospital center and mobilized with several specialists, all day this Saturday, November 23 on the Place de la Mairie. For the first time, the initiative is organized in Sète by the Hôpitaux du Bassin de Thau with the help of the Cancer League.

A pink inflatable tunnel has been installed in the heart of the city, to talk without taboo about colon cancer and especially screening. “The earlier a cancer is detected, the more it can be cured, recalls Adrien Boulanger, communications manager for the Bassin de Thau hospitals, present this Saturday. In France it is the 2nd most fatal cancer in France which is treated very well in 9 out of 10 cases.” This pathology affects both men and women.

More than a hundred people got information this Saturday in Sète

By mid-afternoon, 140 people had visited the stand to ask their questions to the gastroenterologists, digestive surgeons and oncologists present. Like this Sétois who passed by. “Getting tested, better late than never, I’m 65”he said, welcoming the initiative and leaving with a kit under his arm.

Dedicated emergency slots

“We have people who tell us about pain and ask us what it could mean in relation to the colon, indicates Audrey Bredar. Some ask us about colonoscopy, or how we use the screening test. They want to know if it is 100% safe. Some already have it at home but tell us they don't want to do it. So we reassure them, the test is 100% reliable and it is not invasive. We also explain that we have dedicated slots for people who receive a positive test, which is reassuring.” Stool analysis is done every two years from the age of 50. In the event of a positive result, the Thau Bassin Hospitals have set up a dedicated emergency number at 04 67 46 78 61.