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Amman, Aug. 5 (Petra) — A study conducted in Spain revealed that the
early screening program for colorectal cancer implemented in the
Basque Country led to a 50 percent reduction in colorectal cancer
mortality among individuals aged 50 to 69.
According to Euronews, the study published on Wednesday analyzed the
evolution of the disease over 21 years across a population of
approximately 2.2 million residents in the Basque region. The
findings showed that the drop in mortality began just three years
after the screening program’s inception and was sustained over time.
Furthermore, the initiative enabled early detection of 70.8 percent
of tumors in stages I and II, when recovery rates are significantly
higher, and treatments are less invasive.
Led by Dr. Luis Bujanda, the study analyzed mortality data recorded
between 2004 and 2024, examining 16,298 cases linked to colorectal
cancer. Within the screening program’s target demographic those aged
50 to 69 the mortality rate dropped from 39.7 to 19.8 deaths per
100,000 people, marking a 50.1 percent decline.
Across the general population, researchers identified a turning point
in 2012, three years after the program’s rollout, reinforcing the
link between periodic screening and reduced mortality. Researchers
estimated that without the early detection system, mortality rates
among individuals aged 50 to 69 would have been 46.2 percent higher.
The screening framework utilizes the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT),
a non-invasive screening method designed to detect minute amounts of
occult blood in stool, serving as an early indicator of potential
cancer or precancerous lesions.
In the Basque region, asymptomatic men and women aged 50 to 69 are
offered the test every two years. Individuals with positive results
undergo follow-up colonoscopies to confirm the diagnosis. Over the
study period, the program identified 4,892 cases of colorectal
cancer, with more than seven out of ten diagnosed at stage I or II,
where treatment options are most effective and survival rates are
markedly higher.
//Petra// AF
