Over the past 30 years, 185,000 extra cancer deaths have been avoided. But there is still work to be done. ‘We need to invite more targeted people for screening.’
It is estimated that in Belgium alone, in the last 30 years, 185,000 extra cancer survivors (133,000 in men and 53,000 in women) have survived thanks to advances in scientific research, more effective treatments, but also better prevention and early detection. In recent years, for example, immunotherapy has resulted in a higher survival rate for melanomas, among other things.
Up to 40 percent of cancers are preventable through lifestyle. If you also add secondary prevention through cancer screening, then no less than 50 percent of cancer deaths can be avoided.
Points of improvement
Despite the good screening programs in our country, there is still a lot of work to be done in this area, says Professor Guido Van Hal of the University of Antwerp. ‘Only half of the people who qualify take part in breast and colorectal cancer screening. Moreover, the participation rate within the target group is very uneven. It is difficult for us to reach people who are underprivileged, but also with a migration background. We should motivate them more specifically with tailor-made invitations.’
In the case of colorectal cancer screening, it also applies that a colonoscopy is not always performed in the follow-up of an abnormal stool sample. ‘This also concerns people with a lower socio-economic status,’ says Van Hal. ‘That is why it is important that we make them aware of why such a colonoscopy is necessary, what exactly it is, that it is unpleasant, but does not hurt. It’s about finding a good balance between giving the full picture and not scaring off too much.’
Today, preventive screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer is carried out in our country. Screening programs for lung cancer are also on the agenda. Van Hal: ‘There is scientific evidence that there is 26 percent less mortality in men when we screen for lung cancer. In women, the reduction is even greater. But the target group is more difficult to determine because there are no official lists of smokers and ex-smokers.’
The Foundation against Cancer calls on the government – in response to World Cancer Day on 4 February – to invest even more in cancer research, population screening and high-performance prevention.