In an effort to strengthen the early detection of one of the most prevalent and lethal tumours in Spain, the Ministry of Health has issued a new order in the Official State Gazette that extends the colorectal cancer screening programme to age 74.
In the context of demographic ageing, the measure represents a substantial advancement by expanding the age range of the population that can access these preventative tests. Despite the fact that the risk of developing this type of cancer increases with age, cases are also on the rise among young people. In an effort to achieve complete coverage within a maximum of five to ten years, it will be implemented in a phased manner. The Valencian Community is currently inviting individuals aged 50 to 69 to participate.
The screening programme is predicated on the periodic administration of a faecal occult blood test, a non-invasive test that identifies the disease’s initial symptoms. The protocol is concluded with a colonoscopy if the result is positive, which affirms the diagnosis and enables the removal of polyps before they transform into malignant tumours.
Objective demographic
Nevertheless, the success of this preventative strategy is significantly contingent upon the target population’s involvement. In this regard, experts caution that the primary impediment to reducing mortality from colorectal cancer, the second most lethal cancer after lung cancer, is the lack of public engagement.
In order to make a substantial contribution to the reduction of fatalities, it would be essential to maintain participation rates above 70%. Nevertheless, this objective is not achieved in practice. Based on data from the Digestive Tumour Treatment Group, the participation rate in the Valencian Community is approximately 45%. This implies that nearly 800,000 citizens—approximately 250,000 in the province of Alicante—fail to undergo this preventative test.
Nevertheless, the success of this preventative strategy is significantly contingent upon the target population’s involvement. In this regard, experts caution that the primary impediment to reducing mortality from colorectal cancer, the second most lethal cancer after lung cancer, is the lack of public engagement.
In order to make a substantial contribution to the reduction of fatalities, it would be essential to maintain participation rates above 70%. Nevertheless, this objective is not achieved in practice. Based on data from the Digestive Tumour Treatment Group, the participation rate in the Valencian Community is approximately 45%. This implies that nearly 800,000 citizens—approximately 250,000 in the province of Alicante—fail to undergo this preventative test.
In the initial phases, it undergoes healing.
Colorectal cancer is curable in approximately 90% of cases if detected in its early phases, as experts emphasise the importance of early diagnosis. Additionally, it is one of the few malignancies that exhibit warning signs, as polyps—precursor lesions—can take eight to ten years to develop, thereby providing a substantial window of opportunity for detection and treatment.
The extent of the issue is illustrated by the data. Each year, the Valencian Community detects nearly 5,000 new cases of colorectal cancer, with approximately 1,700 of these cases occurring in the province of Alicante. Additionally, this tumour is responsible for 14% of all cancer-related fatalities in the region.
The Valencian Community experienced a total of 1,675 deaths from colon, rectal, and anal cancer in 2024, with 583 of these deaths occurring in the province of Alicante, as per the National Institute of Statistics.
Campaigns
Experts emphasise that the extension of the screening age should be accompanied by more effective awareness campaigns and measures to facilitate access to testing to increase citizen participation and fully utilise a key instrument for early detection and mortality reduction, given this scenario.
The physicians who were consulted identified various reasons for the low level of participation, including a lack of information and awareness, the absence of symptoms, a low perception of personal risk, dread of the results, and the presence of other illnesses or stressful life events that coincided with the invitation. Participation is impeded by the fact that younger individuals have a diminished perception of their susceptibility to disease. This is also influenced by the distress that is associated with the stool sample collection procedures.
