Highlight: Blue March 2012, a month of action against colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the lining of the colon or rectum. With an estimated 40,000 new cases in 2011, it is now the third most common cancer in France and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths after lung cancer. For the fifth consecutive year, the month of March will be an opportunity to take action against colorectal cancer.

To meet the screening participation targets set by the 2009–2013 Cancer Plan, the National Cancer Institute (INCa), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance, the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA), and the Social Security Scheme for the Self-Employed (RSI), launched an information and communication campaign on March 1 to promote colorectal cancer screening. This campaign aims to raise awareness among the relevant populations, mobilize healthcare professionals, and support those working on the ground.

Screening can identify the disease at a very early stage of its development, or even detect adenomas before they progress to cancer. The benefits are particularly significant for this type of cancer, as when detected at an early stage (superficial cancer in the intestinal wall), the 5-year survival rate exceeds 90%.