Despite the black figures associated with this disease in Galicia, and although the community has a screening program for this disease for men and women between 50 and 69 years, by means of a blood test in feces, two out of every three invitations sent by Sanidade fall on deaf ears. Between 2013 and 2019, Sergas sent 904,000 notices to participate for the first time, but only 334,000 people delivered the test, 36.95%. In 2019, out of 215,800 people, only 60,400 were encouraged. And that the sample collection kit is sent home and then left in a box at the health center.
Five years ahead, but few participants
Precisely in 2019 this screening completed the coverage of its target population, that is, 100% have been cited at least once, in all health areas, after starting in 2013 in Ferrol as a pilot experience. On the positive side of the balance, there is the fact that Galicia managed to get five years ahead of the objective proposed by the Government when the program was incorporated into the portfolio of services. Regarding the response, the Administration ensures that the global share of 36.95% in the initial round –The first time someone is invited to take the test– and 91.57% in successive cases –those who dare and discover its advantages do not hesitate to repeat it– are “within expectations for a recently implemented program that did not a lot of visibility and diffusion ”until 100% of its implementation is completed. In the area of Vigo, the last to which he arrived, the figures are lower and Sergas believes that “many people” could have been screened previously.
A program to spread more
In any case, Sergas admits that “in the short and medium term it would be desirable to increase” this participation and for this it considers it “essential” to seek outreach channels to patient associations, among others, apart from “more involvement, if possible, primary care ”, given their“ closest ”contact with the population. In primary care, explains Jesús Sueiro, member of Agamfec (Galician Association of Family and Community Medicine), they are aware of this role. This professional agrees with the Sergas analysis and believes that if the majority refuse to participate, it is above all because of “lack of settlement”Of the initiative due to its short implementation time. It is not as “institutionalized”, she says, like breast cancer, which has its own day and events. That colorectal cancer screening reaches a similar status may “take time”, he admits, and encourages betting on “awareness”, spreading it more and “connecting” cancer testing and survival. “You have to move consciences,” he emphasizes.
Early stages
Sanidade reports that between 2013 and 2019, after an “anomalous” result in the test, some 26,600 colonoscopies and 1,436 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 4,736 with high-risk adenomas and 6,572 with medium risk, who are followed up. According to Sergas, about 70% of cancers were detected in early stages, “In which the prognosis is significantly better”. Screening, “in addition to reducing mortality” from this cancer, “also contributes to reducing the incidence by detecting precancerous lesions that are removed during colonoscopy,” he says.
FEATURED KEYS
904,000 invitations and 334,000 responses
Sergas sent 904,000 valid invitations for a first screening and only a third responded. The test detects blood in the stool.
Colonoscopies and follow-up
If the result of the stool blood test is abnormal, it is completed with a colonoscopy, the risk of cancer in each person is evaluated and they are followed up.
Results of the screening program
From the beginning of the program until the end of 2019, 1,436 cancers were diagnosed, 67% of them in early stages.
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