Every year, March is dedicated to Mars Bleu (Blue March), a national campaign that highlights the importance of prevention and colorectal cancer screening. This cancer is one of the most common but can be cured if detected early.
Colorectal cancer screening: a key step
The national screening program is intended for women and men aged 45 to 74 affiliated with the CNS. Every two years, they receive an invitation to take a test. This is the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which detects the presence of occult blood in the stool. This test is simple, fast, and non-invasive: it is done at home, requires no special diet, and the kit is available free of charge.
Detected early, colorectal cancer can be cured in 9 out of 10 cases.
Daily prevention: an essential lever
In addition to screening, a balanced lifestyle is crucial for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. Adopting a balanced lifestyle may include:
- a diet rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains);
- limiting processed foods;
- regular physical activity (for example, 30 minutes of walking per day);
- maintaining a healthy weight by avoiding overweight or obesity;
- quitting smoking and vaping;
- moderate alcohol consumption.
Mars Bleu: a month to get informed and take action
Mars Bleu is an opportunity to remember the importance of taking care of your health and getting informed about screening. Getting screened, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and raising awareness among those around you are all actions that can make a difference.
🔎 To learn more about colorectal cancer screening: https://www.bionext.lu/en/pdoccr