With an estimated incidence of nearly 37,500 new cases per year and 17,000 deaths in 2005, colorectal cancer represents a major public health problem in our country. The year 2008 marked a new milestone in the fight against this cancer with the nationwide rollout of the screening program. This program targets a population of 16 million people. Results from the 23 pilot sites made it possible to replicate most of the quality and effectiveness indicators. The program was rolled out by departmental management structures responsible for breast cancer screening. The program is guided by quality assurance guidelines defining the target populations and the organizational procedures for screening. A national training program was conducted for new departments joining the initiative. The replacement of the guaiac test used in the French program with an immunological test is expected to take place in the coming years. Other tests or strategies need to be more thoroughly evaluated in the population. (R.A.)