Colorectal Cancer: A Simple Test That Could Save Your Life at 50

Credit Photo - @Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock

Published on 05/03/2025 | Updated on 04/03/2025 by Julie Benard

Reaching the age of 50 marks a significant milestone in life, and it’s a crucial time to focus on health, particularly through screening for colorectal cancer. This type of cancer, affecting the colon or rectum, ranks as the second deadliest in France. Fortunately, there is a straightforward way to reduce your risk.

A Test That Can Make a Difference

If you are between 50 and 74 years old, this screening is designed for you, especially if you lack specific personal or family medical histories. The test is remarkably simple: it involves collecting a small stool sample and mailing it to a laboratory. This process can be done conveniently at home, ensuring privacy without the need for a medical consultation.

The encouraging news is that this screening is fully covered by the French health insurance system, meaning you won’t incur any costs to safeguard your health.

Compelling Statistics

The statistics speak volumes: when detected early, this cancer has a 90% cure rate. In contrast, if diagnosed at a later stage, the five-year survival rate plummets to just 14.3%.

Despite this, only 34.2% of eligible individuals participate in the screening, while the European goal is set at 65%. Women tend to be slightly more proactive than men, with participation rates of 35.7% compared to 32.8% for men.

How to Obtain Your Screening Kit

You can request your screening kit from several sources:

• Your general practitioner
• A pharmacy
• Online

Since March 3, the National Cancer Institute has been airing a light-hearted television spot that reminds viewers: "You don’t have to do your screening on your birthday, but starting at 50, make sure to do it every two years and before any symptoms arise."

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. This quick test, which should be repeated every two years, can literally save your life.

In Summary

The National Cancer Institute has launched a campaign to raise awareness about colorectal cancer screening. This simple, at-home test, which is 100% covered, is aimed at individuals aged 50 to 74. When detected early, this cancer can be cured in 90% of cases, yet only about one-third of the French population eligible participates in the screening, despite nearly 47,600 new cases diagnosed each year.