Low participation in colon cancer screening prompts new campaign

Men in large cities should be screened for colon cancer more often, according to the MDL Fonds. The organization, previously called the Dutch Digestive Diseases Foundation, warns that participation in the national screening program remains worryingly low. To address the problem, it is launching a campaign on Thursday.

The first invitation for the national colon cancer screening program is sent when people reach the age of 55. Across the country, just over 56 percent respond to that invitation. In Rotterdam, however, participation is much lower: only 36 percent of men attend, the MDL Fonds says.

In a statement, Manon Spaander, chair of the Dutch Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (NVMDL), said the data show that many urban men are not being reached. “By the time symptoms appear, it is often already too late,” she warned.

Spaander said the low participation rate is due to several factors, including limited awareness, language and cultural barriers, and a relatively large group of socially vulnerable residents. Because of this, colon cancer is frequently diagnosed at a later stage, reducing patients’ chances of recovery.

The campaign features two ambassadors: TV presenter and comedian André van Duin (78), who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2020, and former professional footballer Ahmed Ammi (45), who learned last year that he has the disease. They will encourage other men to take part in screening.

To draw additional attention to the issue, the MDL Fonds is traveling around the country with a 12-meter-long model of a colon.