The TRANSMED EXPERT Medical Center invites you to take advantage of a free* non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test: occult bleeding detection.

The test is available to all patients undergoing medical tests in our clinic.

*Patients over 40 years of age can benefit from this promotion.

Detected at an early stage, colorectal cancer can be treated and cured. Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for both men and women.

What is colorectal cancer?

It is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the lining of the intestine.
Over time, some polyps can develop into cancer.

 

What are the risk factors for developing colorectal cancer?

The risk increases as we get older. About 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 and over.

 

Other risk factors include:

  • Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps
  • Genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

 

Lifestyle factors that may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer:

  • Lack of regular physical activity
  • A low fruit and vegetable diet
  • A diet low in fibre and high in fat or a diet high in processed meat
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol and tobacco consumption
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

The most common symptoms of colon and rectal cancer include:

  • Stomach pain or diffuse meteorism
  • Change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea)
  • Blood in the stool
  • Physical asthenia
  • Low iron level, often with anaemia (iron deficiency anaemia)
  • Black or dark-coloured stools

 

Early screening (starting at age 40 or 10 years younger than the earliest family diagnosis) is recommended for people who have:

  • A first-degree relative with colorectal cancer, advanced adenomatous polyp before age 60 – Screening should be repeated with a colonoscopy every five years.
  • Two or more first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer, advanced adenomatous polyp at any age – Screening must be repeated with a colonoscopy every five years.
  • One first-degree relative with advanced colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyp at age 60 or older – After the initial screening, the screening should be repeated on the same schedule as for average-risk individuals (e.g., with a colonoscopy every 10 years).