How to detect colon cancer, the fourth most common malignancy, in a timely manner?

The colon cancer prevention program in Lithuania has been running for 17 years. It is for men and women between the ages of 50 and 74 (inclusive) who are covered by mandatory health insurance and who can undergo a hidden bleeding test once every two years. If the test is negative, the patient is healthy, if it is positive, the GP will issue a referral to a specialist. Colonoscopy and, if necessary, biopsy can objectively confirm or rule out the diagnosis of colon cancer.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has significantly slowed down the population’s activity in prevention programs, including the colon. State health insurance funds dependent on the Ministry of Health (VLK) in 2021. According to data from January, last year 175 thousand people participated in the colon cancer diagnosis program. people – 33 percent. less than in 2019. This is very worrying because, according to doctors, recently they have referred more and more patients whose disease is already advanced, making their treatment very difficult.

Colon cancer is the fourth most common malignancy after prostate cancer, other skin tumors and breast cancer. In recent years, about 1,500 cases of colon cancer have been diagnosed each year. In the structure of deaths from malignant neoplasms, colorectal cancer ranks second after lung cancer, ”says Dr. Eugene Stratilatov.

According to him, although the survival rates of colorectal cancer patients in Lithuania are improving, they are still among the lowest in Europe. Survival is highly dependent on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

“Only 34 percent. Of all cases of colorectal cancer in Lithuania, stages I-II are detected, and 17%. Patients of both sexes are diagnosed with stage IV cancer immediately. That is why doctors We constantly emphasize that the signals sent by the body cannot be ignored, it is necessary to take care of prevention and, of course, participate in screening programs, ”says E. Stratilatov.

According to Rasa Savičiūtė, Chief Specialist of the VLK Service Control and Expertise Division, quarantine is not a reason to avoid inspections according to preventive programs.

“It is important to know that if a person is not of the age established in the program but has complaints about their health, they should consult their family doctor. Taking into account the age of the patient and assessing the state of health, medical history and risk factors, he will prescribe the necessary tests according to his competence and, if necessary, prescribe referral to a specialist ”, says the VLK specialist.

According to her, funding for the colon prevention program increases every year. 2020 4.8 million were allocated for its implementation of the Mandatory Medical Insurance Fund (PSDF). EUR, 2019 – EUR 3.9 million, 2018 – EUR 3.5 million. This year, 4.9 million are planned for this program. euros.

A survey of Lithuanians commissioned by VLK in July last year showed that people know less about the colon cancer prevention program (58% of respondents), most about cervical cancer (66%) and cancer. breast (65%). Only 10 percent reported having participated in a colon cancer prevention program. of those surveyed, at that time cervical cancer – 26 percent.

Health insurance funds remind people with PSD insurance can get a free health checkup by participating in five prevention programs: cervical, breast, prostate and colon cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

“This is an opportunity for many patients to get free exams, as funds for preventive health research come from the PSDF. Funding for these programs is only growing each year, with € 22 million allocated in 2020. € 24.5 million euros in 2021. euros ”, says R. Savičiūtė.